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Open Chronicle | Motorsport
Marc Márquez struck a measured tone after the opening day of action at the Spanish Grand Prix, insisting he has what it takes to remain competitive, even as he tempered expectations about fighting for victory.
The Spaniard finished fourth in free practice at the Circuito de Jerez, trailing the pace set by his brother Álex Márquez by half a second. The result secured his place in Q2, which he described as the primary objective for the day.
“It was an acceptable day, neither good nor bad, but we achieved our main goal,” Márquez said. “We’re in Q2, and that wasn’t guaranteed.”
Despite the solid position, the eight-time world champion acknowledged that he is not yet in contention for the top step of the podium. Instead, he framed the upcoming race as a test of endurance in an increasingly competitive field.
“Right now, I don’t have what it takes to attack,” he admitted. “I have what it takes to stay in the race. The goal is the podium, but that’s an optimistic goal.”
The competitive landscape at Jerez underlines his caution. Five Ducati bikes and four Aprilia machines advanced to Q2, with lap times incredibly tight, just over a tenth of a second separating seven riders. The emergence of Aprilia Racing as a stronger force this season has added another layer of difficulty.
“Aprilia has taken a step forward, and when the bike improves, the riders improve too,” Márquez noted. “The level in MotoGP has risen.”
Physically, Márquez reported feeling comfortable following a recent break, but admitted that performance gains will depend on refining his connection with the bike.
“Physically, I’m fine. It’s about continuing to work to improve the feeling and build speed,” he said.
He also pointed to specific areas where he is losing time, particularly in the fast right-hand corners of sector four, as well as a lack of confidence in left-hand turns. These technical challenges, combined with the razor-thin margins, could prove decisive in qualifying.
Meanwhile, Álex Márquez appears to hold the upper hand heading into the weekend, with Marc openly acknowledging his brother’s stronger pace on both fresh and used tyres.
“Right now, he has a better chance of winning,” he said.
Still, the elder Márquez remains focused on his own progress rather than direct comparisons, relying on data analysis while maintaining a personal approach to improvement.
With qualifying set to play a crucial role in shaping the race, Márquez emphasized the importance of incremental gains.
“We’re between fourth and sixth right now. Tomorrow’s qualifying will tell us what we can really do.”
As the battle between Ducati and Aprilia intensifies and the margins remain minimal, Márquez’s strategy is clear: stay in contention, improve step by step, and seize any opportunity that emerges.