Marquez is again to full health for the primary time in three seasons, nonetheless, Honda does not appear prepared to provide him a motorcycle able to dominating MotoGP like in 2019.
Pre-season outcomes haven’t been good for the Japanese producer, though optimism stays for Marquez because the race tempo was a lot increased in comparison with qualifying simulations.
That being mentioned, successful races constantly in 2023 looks as if a frightening process in the meanwhile, which led to Marquez being requested if he feels able to win, however Honda could be holding him again.
Marquez’s response, nonetheless, was blunt in protection of Honda: “No. We’re a workforce, we win collectively and lose collectively. The final three years have been troublesome for me and for Honda. We aren’t title contenders at present.
“We should proceed to construct the challenge to be extra aggressive. My ambition is similar as in 2013, I’m right here to combat for the highest positions. I’ll do every part I can.
“I imagine within the challenge, I imagine in Honda. Final 12 months Pecco did not begin so effectively, he had issues, however then we gained many races in a row.”
Turning to the topic of Bagnaia and Ducati, Marquez was certainly one of many riders who had no reply for the MotoGP champion’s tempo at Sepang or Portimao.
Eager to underscore Ducati’s superiority in the meanwhile, Marquez mentioned the step ahead wanted to match Bagnaia is even larger than the step Honda must take to problem each different Ducati rider.
“It is apparent that Ducati has a extremely robust bundle,” added the six-time premier class champion. “Pecco was quickest on the grid, we’re a good distance from them, however even farther from Pecco.
“We’re working to be higher in some areas, principally the identical as final 12 months. We’re all the time seeking to enhance.”
2020 MotoGP champion Mir struggles to search out ‘final tenth’ after swap from Suzuki to Honda
One of many massive driver adjustments for this season was the addition of Joan Mir to Repsol Honda, after his former workforce Suzuki left.
The Spaniard managed to shut in on Marquez all through pre-season testing, though discovering the final little bit of potential in his RC213V stays a problem.
Talking about his transfer and adaptation to Honda, Mir added: “Shifting to this workforce was an enormous problem. It is one thing I’ve dreamed of for a very long time. it is arduous to search out the final tenth, however that is what we did, we did an amazing job, I am completely satisfied.
“We wish to get nearer to the very best however that is a part of the method. When you’ve got expectations, crucial factor is to be reasonable together with your ft on the bottom. We made an enormous change in my profession.
“As with the final problem, we’d like a while to adapt. It’s a must to evolve race by race. Every single day I really feel extra suited to this bike and I may give higher info to the engineers to enhance the bundle. I wish to end the season on high. For that, it’s important to begin by not being far-off.”
