Marquez feeling ‘better and better’, title challenge ‘is the goal for 2022’

Marc Marquez will start the British MotoGP from fifth, while team-mate Pol Espargaro became the first Honda rider not named Marquez to take pole since 2017. 

Since the beginning of Friday’s FP1 Marquez has looked close to his best, even after a big turn two crash during the same session. 

Something we haven’t seen much of from Marquez since returning from injury was the stunning one lap pace of 2019 and before. 

However, that was much improved during Q2 at Silverstone as he claimed his best qualifying of the year.

This also comes after challenging for victory at the Red Bull Ring, which is the type of consistency the eight-time world champion wants to continue with a view to challenging for the 2022 title.  

Marquez said: "We are riding better and better. On my side I feel better and of course we’re improving the small things. 

"Looks like we are closer to the top guys. The main thing is be constant at all circuits. In the 2nd part of (the season) it looks like we are able to do it. 

"In Austria I was competitive. Here we are competitive. Then Aragon and Misano arrive and we need to keep that level. 

"It makes no sense to be fast at one track, not fast at another. That is not the way to fight for the championship, which is the goal for 2022. 

"Here is working well the bike. in FP1 I felt really good. Today Pol [Espargaro] showed the bike is working well. But tomorrow is the most important and it’s where we need to finish the job."  

Marquez was seen trying a new scooter brake on his RC213V machine today, however, the Spaniard changed back to his original rear brake for qualifying - something he plans on doing for the race too. 

Marquez said: "Today we tried the scooter brake but I didn’t feel very comfortable. I’m not used to ride like this. 

"We tried different things and just tried to understand if we can improve. But qualifying I went back to the normal brake. 

"I felt more safe because the feeling is a bit different with the scooter brake. I will race with my standard brake because I feel much better and even a little bit faster."