Marquez ends Sepang MotoGP test 'without the bike I need to win the title'
Marc Marquez says he has settled on the concept of Honda MotoGP bike he will continue with in 2023, but “it’s not the bike I need to win the championship”.
The eight-time world champion has not been enthused about the progress Honda has made with its troubled bike since last November’s Valencia test.
After the first day of this weekend’s Sepang test, Marquez felt he was “still far from the top” with the 2023 Honda.
The Spaniard started the test with four RC213Vs to try, whittling that down to one come the afternoon of Sunday’s session, which he says is the base he will continue with into the Portimao test next month.
However, he admits it’s not that different to the 2023 bike he tested last November and “needs another step” to close in on the frontrunners.
“We started the test with four bikes, second day we had three bikes, today we started with two bikes and in the afternoon was only one bike,” Marquez said after ending the Sepang test 10th overall, 0.777 seconds off the pace.
“So, I already decided that is the bike, this is the direction. But it’s not the bike I need to win the championship, I need another step from that bike.
“But it’s important to have one base clear and to forget about the others.”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Marquez added that Honda “doesn’t have time to bring another three bikes” to the Portugal test, but “it was important to choose one direction, one bike” to focus on.
“Basically, it’s very similar to the Valencia bike,” he added.
“It’s not a big difference, the concept is the same, and we have the same problems.
“So, now it’s time to fix those problems. I don’t know how, I just give my comments, give my inputs on how to improve the lap time.
“And for me it was quite good because it was easy to understand… of course you are faster or you are slower, but it was important to me to know when I wanted to be fast and when I wanted to be slow.
“So, this morning if you see my lap times, I started to be more consistent because we started to work.
“When I was riding well, the lap times were more or less not bad but still far from the first five guys.”
MotoGP Sepang test: Marini tops final day from Bagnaia
Yamaha's 2023 MotoGP bike "a nightmare" in qualifying trim – Quartararo
Quartararo explains slicks-in-wet “challenge” in MotoGP Japanese GP
Quartararo explains slicks-in-wet “challenge” in MotoGP Japanese GP Quartararo explains slicks-in-wet “challenge” in MotoGP Japanese GP
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’ Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Ducati boss flattered by Marquez's interest in year-old MotoGP bike
Ducati boss flattered by Marquez's interest in year-old MotoGP bike Ducati boss flattered by Marquez's interest in year-old MotoGP bike
Marquez: "Romantic" podium doesn't change Honda MotoGP future
Marquez: "Romantic" podium doesn't change Honda MotoGP future Marquez: "Romantic" podium doesn't change Honda MotoGP future
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
WRC Chile: Five things you may have missed
WRC Chile: Five things you may have missed WRC Chile: Five things you may have missed
Why the FIA’s traffic busting stance may prove tricky for cold Las Vegas
Why the FIA’s traffic busting stance may prove tricky for cold Las Vegas Why the FIA’s traffic busting stance may prove tricky for cold Las Vegas
Meyer Shank Racing to pause IMSA programme in 2024 but plans comeback
Meyer Shank Racing to pause IMSA programme in 2024 but plans comeback Meyer Shank Racing to pause IMSA programme in 2024 but plans comeback
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.