MADRID, 12 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) insisted that he has a contract with Honda until 2024, so his commitment to the Japanese factory, “the best place to succeed in the future”, is “maximum”, although he repeated that He has “plan A, B and C” for the next season, a decision in which the “mental factor” will weigh more and that only his “inner circle” knows.
“The factor that will matter the most is my mental one. Nothing more. I have always been guided by instinct, with my own decisions, and it will be my mental decision. One has to be calm with what one chooses to later succeed, if not convinced, we are going badly. I am in the best place to succeed in the future. We will evaluate each situation to be convinced before starting,” reflected the man from Cervera at an event organized by Estrella Galicia 0,0 in Madrid.
When asked by journalists, Márquez stated that he was not “disappointed” after a test in Misano in which he “expected more”, with a “different” 2024 Honda, but with the “same” performance on the track. “Any human being in the world, when there are critical situations, looks for solutions. I have plan A, B and C. I still have a contract with Honda, my commitment is maximum, this brand has given me a lot,” he reaffirmed.
“I have a contract for next year, the commitment is still maximum, but it is true that we always look for the best for the project at all times. For now, the commitment is this, we are looking for the best solution for the future to succeed “The goal is to succeed, whether in one year, two or three. Today, my commitment remains one hundred percent with Honda,” reiterated the holder of eight world titles.
Márquez explained that his three plans “are not in order” of preference and confessed that he is “calm” in the face of some “rumors” that are not “affecting” him sportingly. “In Misano I showed it – he finished seventh in his best Sunday of the race -, I am more focused than ever. I have the feeling that I don’t need to prove anything either, but I have the obligation, that’s my mentality,” he stressed.
“RIGHT NOW, MY COMMITMENT TO HONDA IS MAXIMUM”
The Spaniard, who denied that one of the options for the next season is retirement as he is “motivated, eager and physically well, enjoying motorcycling”, pointed out, however, that the decision about his immediate future has to be “made “, without “forcing anything.” “There is not much time, we finished in two months, but these are things that happen on their own. I still believe in the project,” confirmed the man from Cervera.
“Only my inner circle knows my thoughts. Maybe there is no need to announce anything, I have a contract,” said a forceful and at the same time enigmatic Márquez, who has not discussed anything with his brother Álex. “He does not have all the information, he is an active pilot and has his interests. He has a very good situation, we do not have to mix things,” he said.
Regarding this Monday’s test in Misano, the Honda driver confessed that the prototype for 2024 “did not work in practice, much less in theory.” “It’s a new bike that needs to continue researching,” he explained, without revealing what his comments were to his engineers.
“There is time, I hope so, to turn it around. In six months there is time, the ideal situation would be to have tried yesterday and have a small step with room for improvement, but it was not as we expected, we have to start again,” added a Márquez admitted that this course goes to the circuits “without expectations.”
Regarding possible concessions to Japanese brands, which are far behind European brands, Márquez said that “they must be made, because Japanese manufacturers are needed.” “The category cannot be single-brand. If they give the facility to those manufacturers who suffer the most, the competition will be more beautiful. I prefer maximum equality between brands,” he said.
Finally, the Spanish driver acknowledged that mentally it is a “complicated” season, in which he has had to “accept the reality” that Honda is not “to fight for victories.” “We have to build a base to grow. The first half I made the personal mistake of facing it by fighting for a title when it was not possible, it translated into injuries, falls, losing rhythm. Now I will look for a base and start calmly,” he concluded.