“I need to feel the butterflies in my stomach again from coming to a circuit”
MADRID, 13 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish driver Marc Márquez has acknowledged that he has “not” been “good” in the “last two or three months” and that it was on Tuesday when he made the decision to leave Repsol Honda next season to sign for Gresini Racing, something what it does to “feel the butterflies in your stomach again” on a circuit.
“I was looking for justifications for what really made me take this step, which is to have fun on a motorcycle again. I had to do something quickly, I’ve had four very hard years and I’m losing hope. I’m still uncertain despite having made the decision “But I need to smile again under the helmet. One more year like the one I’ve had could end up sinking me,” he said in an interview with journalist Izaskun Ruiz on DAZN.
In addition, the one from Cervera explained the reasons for his decision. “I had to do something quickly, I’ve had four very hard years and I’m losing hope,” he said. “I made the decision on Tuesday night, after the Japanese Grand Prix, there were many meetings that weekend. These last two or three months I have not been well, every day I changed my mind, it was difficult for me to leave my family. In the end it is my comfort zone and leaving there gave me a lot of respect,” he added.
In this sense, he acknowledged that his former Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa has been one of the key people in deciding to take the leap. “I called Pedrosa because he rode the Honda for many years, he had a peculiar career and I needed advice from rider to rider. I have always had a good relationship with him and he helped me,” he said.
On the other hand, the eight-time champion explained who will accompany him to Gresini Racing. “I’m taking Javi Ortiz, he’s the only one I’ve been able to take. I have a year’s contract and something I can’t allow myself is to destroy Honda by taking everyone and do the same in Gresini. Obviously I wanted to take Javi Ortiz. Santi, but Ducati decides and I am not in a position of strength right now. They say that whoever does not adapt dies, and it is my turn to adapt,” he stressed.
In another vein, he revealed that Gresini has given in to his demands regarding the duration of the contract. “Signing for only one year means not having any commitment and deciding what I want to do with my sporting career. Gresini respected that,” he said.
Finally, Márquez was convinced that this is the necessary move to enjoy riding the motorcycle again. “Although it is a team without the last pieces, it is familiar. What I need is to feel the butterflies in my stomach again from coming to a circuit,” he concluded.