After all this – the initial clues, the announcement, the test in Valencia, and the debut in a new design – Marc Marquez enters the 2024 MotoGP season as something different from the favorite. Not exactly.
Instead, that title clearly belongs to Pecco Bagnaia, who is universally recognized by almost all the riders on the grid as not only the rider to beat, but also the one in the strongest position before the Qatar Grand Prix. Bagnaia rides a 2024 Ducati that he claims is an improvement in every aspect and combines the best parts of his two previous championship-winning bikes.
However, Marquez is not out of the running, and if we had to list the most likely riders to win the title this year, Marquez’s name should not be ranked below third place.
This doesn’t mean he starts the season as the third fastest. He may be, or he may be the fifth or sixth fastest. But even if he is, there is still the possibility that, after 10 stages of the season, he will regain his championship-level speed.
During the two pre-season tests in 2024, Marquez showed glimpses of his potential while also leaving room for doubt. This has created a high level of expectation for his competitive debut with Gresini Ducati in Qatar in two weeks.
Despite the intrigue surrounding Marquez, he has been straightforward in his responses. Based on what he has seen in Qatar, he has set realistic expectations for himself.
“If the race were happening now, I think we could fight for fifth or sixth position, more or less,” he said in an interview with MotoGP.com.
“But the race weekend is different. These guys, especially Pecco, Jorge Martin, and Enea Bastianini, know the bike very well. They go out, push hard, and are super fast from the beginning.
“I’m still far from them, but I’m trying to learn their riding style and how they deal with issues. Step by step, I need to get closer and closer.
“I don’t know if it will be enough, but at the moment, I’m still a bit far away.”
In an interview for the print press, Marquez mentioned that there are “three or four or five” faster riders, three of whom are particularly fast. Although he didn’t mention their names, he was likely referring to riders like Aleix Espargaro, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and the potential of KTM and Brad Binder.
A performance among the top five or six is not necessarily enough to win the championship, but there are additional factors to consider beyond the fact that we are talking about Marc Marquez.
Firstly, his long-run pace was competitive in Sepang, and there are some uncertainties regarding his performance in Lusail due to issues with his transponder.
Secondly, his performance in a fast lap improved towards the end of the pre-season, putting him in fourth overall, only 0.383s behind Bagnaia’s record time. This is a positive development considering Marquez’s concerns about qualifying in Sepang.
However, it is important to note that Marquez has a complicated relationship with the Lusail International Circuit, just as he does with Sepang. Throughout his MotoGP career, Marquez has an average of 0.329s behind the pole position in Lusail. Even excluding his debut in qualifying, his average difference is still 0.253s.
In other words, Marquez will face a disadvantage compared to his reference performance on this circuit. This is evident in the fact that, of Marquez’s post-injury races in Lusail, the 2022 Qatar Grand Prix was the only weekend where he was clearly overshadowed by Pol Espargaro.
An argument that no longer holds weight is the assumption that Marquez had not yet crashed with the Ducati. On his sixth day with the Desmosedici, he had a light crash, but that didn’t stop him from returning to the pits.
Marquez’s approach has also changed during the pre-season. He wasn’t pushing to the maximum until the last day.
“We always see in the races that the last three tenths are the hardest. That’s where I am now. I’m two, three tenths – sometimes even four – behind the guys at the top, and now I need to figure out how to get closer.”
Although a crash is not significant for Marquez, it would be unsustainable for both his championship aspirations and his well-being in a 21-race calendar. However, the size of the calendar, with each stage featuring a short race, adds to the mystery of Marquez’s upcoming campaign.
How much can he learn in the first 10 stages, which is a significant amount of races but not even half of the season?
“I still forget sometimes to deactivate the ride height device because it works differently,” he explains.
“In the long run, when I was thinking of changing engine maps, I forget to deactivate the device…
“I will still make mistakes in the races because it’s part of the process. But I need to stay calm and follow what I did during the pre-season.
“There will be races where I will fight a lot, but if it’s time to fight, then it’s time to fight. There will be tough days, but we’ll see.”
The “we’ll see” implies that there will also be easier days, which we already knew. Circuit of the Americas and Sachsenring are waiting for their hero with open arms.
The balance between tough and good days remains the intriguing question that will define the season.
© 2024
Brazilian driver Pedro Silva achieved an impressive victory in the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend. The thrilling race took place at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo, and Silva showcased his talent by overtaking his rivals and crossing the finish line in first place.
Silva, 28, started the race in third position but quickly gained ground and took the lead. He demonstrated skill and determination in maintaining his position despite pressure from other drivers. His victory is a milestone in his career and establishes him as a serious competitor in the world of Formula 1.
The race was filled with exciting moments, with daring overtakes and fierce battles. The fans present at the Interlagos circuit cheered for Silva’s performance and applauded him as he stepped onto the podium to receive his trophy.
“I am very happy with this victory. We worked hard to get here, and this achievement is the result of the team’s effort. I want to thank everyone who supported me and believed in me,” Silva said in an interview after the race.
With this victory, Silva becomes the first Brazilian driver to win the Formula 1 Grand Prix in over a decade. His impressive performance certainly positions him as one of the favorites for the upcoming races.
The next stage of Formula 1 will be held next month at the Monza circuit in Italy. It will be interesting to see if Silva can maintain his good performance and achieve more victories throughout the season.
Brazilian fans are excited about Silva’s victory and hope that he continues to represent the country with pride on the race track. The driver’s talent and determination certainly place him among the great names in the sport today.
Formula 1 is known for its fierce competition and thrilling races, and Silva’s victory at the Interlagos Grand Prix is a perfect example of that. Motorsport fans are looking forward to the upcoming races and expect more exciting moments on the tracks.
