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MotoGP, Marquez: “If you’re not willing to give everything, results will never come. I haven't changed"

"My philosophy is the same as when I was 20, but experience has added to it. Mir will put me in difficulty, I hope it will be a push to improve. I ask a lot from Honda and they do the same for me"

MotoGP: Marquez: “If you’re not willing to give everything, results will never come. I haven't changed"

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Marc Marquez is about to face one of the most difficult seasons of his career. Now that his physical condition has returned to normal, it is the Honda that is suffering and the road back to the top is neither easy nor clearcut. The Spanish champion, however, is not the sort of person to hold back, despite being aware of what awaits him.

“I'm facing one of the most important challenges of my career - he said after unveiling his Honda for 2023 - First there was the glory, then the accident and now the attempt to win again. We are working hard this season to achieve the target and if we don't succeed, we will have 2024 to do it."

Do you feel the pressure?

“Pressure is something you have to live with, especially if you have a winning mentality. The pressure makes you more focused and gives you something extra, I missed that. I have always pushed for better results. The history of this team says it all: we have to think about the title."

You seem completely focused.

“When you stop prioritizing the sporting aspect, when you stop being willing to give everything, then the results will never come. Over the years I have sacrificed many things and made difficult personal and professional decisions to fight for the title."

Have you changed now?

“My style and my philosophy are still the same as when I was 20 years old. Obviously, experience has added to it and I will have to figure out how to use it to my advantage. The more weapons you have, the more strategic options you have and the more you can handle the situation.”

It's not all in your hands, Honda has to do its part too.

“We are all working in the same direction: to create a fast, competitive and safe bike. After returning from surgery I have seen a change of philosophy and in Malaysia it went quite well. The bike didn't make me fear for a high-side, but it's not something you have warnings about, it happens suddenly ”.

Last year, at the Red Bull Ring, you clearly said what you wanted.

“In Austria we had a very productive meeting which allowed us to react for 2023. At that moment we had to make some changes, HRC recognized it and did it. In Malaysia, the working method was different and I too have to adapt".

Was a shock required?

“You have to understand when it's time to push, there are times when you have to pull the rope to see a reaction. I expect a lot from Honda and they expect a lot from me, but there has always been a commitment to do it together. We have a two-year contract in which the objective is to fight for the World Championship, make the project grow and return to our level".

Is the atmosphere behind the scenes good now?

“Honda and I respect each other a lot and we know when to say things to each other's faces and when to keep calm. I want the best from them and try to push for it. Now is the time to be patient and work together. I'm sure we'll be back at the front together. Also now there's Joan Mir, he's a very talented rider and he's strong on any bike. He will be a strong teammate and I hope he will help me grow. In the Repsol Honda team you always have fast teammates, you need to have two winning riders".

Even at the risk of being beaten?

"It's the law of every sport. There will always be a new teammate who can be faster than you. It's clear that Mir will put me in difficulty, but I hope this pushes both of us to stay in front".

What idea did you get of the new Honda in the first tests of the year?

“In Sepang I met other riders and bikes on the track and, yes, there are some differences, but until the season starts it's difficult to understand how big they are. Honda is working and I'm sure we'll take a step forward in the first race. I believe that if we work well in Portimao we will be in the top 5”.

This year there will be the new Sprint Race, what do you think?

“They will be intense weekends and not even one session can be missed because they will all count. When there is such a big change in the format, it is normal that there may be some adjustments and we will discuss them in the Safety Commission".

Will it be enough to restore appeal to MotoGP? Some people complain that the races are less spectacular.

"Whether it's the fault of the bikes or aerodynamics, it's true that the races are different, with less overtaking, but Dorna is aware of this. The important thing is to see what the real situation is and I believe that events like the one on Sunday (he presented his documentary 'All In', ed.) on the streets of Madrid help MotoGP. We need to understand how to reach the new generations".

 

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