Marquez will not return to MotoGP in 2020, switches focus to 2021
Marc Marquez will not return for the rest of the 2020 MotoGP season and will instead continue with his rehabilitation to target a comeback next year, Honda has confirmed
Honda cleared up speculation around six-times MotoGP champion Marquez returning for the final two races of the season by announcing Stefan Bradl will continue to be his replacement in both the Valencia Grand Prix and the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Marquez suffered a broken right arm during the first race of the reshaped 2020 MotoGP season at Jerez in July and after undergoing surgery, he attempted to return the following week at the Andalusian GP but withdrew after practice.
Marquez then had to undergo a second surgery in early August to replace the plate in his arm which had broken.
In late August, Honda announced Marquez would be "out of action for two to three months", which suggested that the rider could reappear in the final stretch of the championship.
But this possibility hasn't been reached amid his ongoing recovery and with Honda opting not to take risks as Marquez continues his rehabilitation, he will switch his focus to the 2021 season.
"As his recovery continues, Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team confirm he will not participate in the remainder of the 2020 MotoGP season and aims to return to racing in 2021," a statement from Honda said.
"Working through his recovery programme and tracking the progress of his arm, Marc Marquez in conjunction with Honda, his team and multiple expert doctors, has elected to officially delay his return to action until 2021."
With Marquez unable to return, Honda test rider Bradl will duly complete the 2020 campaign alongside Alex Marquez.
PLUS: How Honda has fixed a bike that only Marc Marquez could ride
The German rider has secured three points finishes during his stand-in role, with the highlight of eighth place in the wet Le Mans race.
"First of all I want to wish Marc all the best in his continued recovery and thank HRC for giving me this opportunity," Bradl said.
"We have made a lot of progress since Le Mans and I have felt my level increase with more bike time and working with the Repsol Honda Team.
"The week of data will help us and the forecast is looking better at the moment. It's going to be a busy end to the year but I am looking forward to it."
Share Or Save This Story
Gasly and Colapinto penalised post-race, Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Hamilton on why he is “built differently” to stay in F1 for the “foreseeable future”
Why Lindblad hasn’t felt the pressure in F1
Alex Marquez considering surgery next week, could miss Qatar GP
Why new MotoGP rules caused a processional German GP sprint
Why Alex Marquez should no longer be undervalued after his brilliant MotoGP campaign
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points after post-race penalty for Lindblad clash
Gasly and Colapinto penalised post-race, Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
How Ferrari's loss became Verstappen's gain at F1's Mexico GP
Why Leclerc didn’t give up Mexico GP lead after cutting Turn 5
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.
Top Comments