Lorenzo’s plight continuing “unimaginable" - Marquez
Marc Marquez believes it is “unimaginable” for his Honda MotoGP teammate Jorge Lorenzo’s current poor form to continue into the 2020 season.
Lorenzo has endured a nightmare debut season aboard the RC213V, which has been plagued by difficulties in adapting to the bike from the Ducati he rode last year and numerous injury problems.
Yet to score a top 10 finish from the 18 races run so far, his future with the team is uncertain, with rumours of him breaking contract a year early continuing to circulate the paddock.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Marquez expressed his surprise at Lorenzo’s current situation and has urged him to “look for motivation” if he is to see out his two-year deal with Honda.
“[It’s] surprising [to] me, him, the team,” Marquez said. “In the end, it is unimaginable for a champion to find himself in this situation. It will be unimaginable to him like this for another year.
“I think he is working to find a solution. He must look for his motivation.”
When pushed for his thoughts on Lorenzo continuing as his teammate, he added: “His contract says so. For me, he’ll continue. But it’s a very personal decision.”
Marquez feels Rossi can continue beyond 2020
In the same interview, Marquez offered his thoughts on arch-rival Valentino Rossi’s future beyond next year, when his current Yamaha deal expires.
Marquez believes the nine-time world champion can still be competitive if he does stay, noting that he “survives well” through each generational shift in MotoGP.
“If he continues, he can do it [stay competitive],” Marquez said. In Malaysia he was fighting for the podium. What he is doing is incredible.
“His name is always there with another generation, different styles and riders. He survives well.
“A great rider is made of the climb until they reach their peak, and then in the descent they have to try to be as gentle as possible. Valentino is doing that. The descent is smooth, the motivation is still there.”
Additional reporting by Matteo Nugnes
MotoGP could return to Hungary in 2022
Lorenzo set to make major announcement at Valencia
Why Honda and Yamaha have been left behind in MotoGP's new era
OPINION: The once all-conquering Japanese manufacturers are going through a difficult period in MotoGP this season. With Suzuki quitting, Honda struggling to get near the podium and Yamaha only enjoying success courtesy of Fabio Quartararo, Japanese manufacturers have been left in the dust by their European counterparts. This is why.
How in-form Quartararo is evoking Marquez in MotoGP 2022
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo has seized control of the 2022 MotoGP world standings after another dominant victory as his nearest rivals faltered. And he is very much heading towards a second championship echoing how the dominator of the last decade achieved much of his success.
Why Marquez's surgery is about more than just chasing on-track success
OPINION: Marc Marquez will likely sit out the remainder of the 2022 MotoGP season to undergo a fourth major operation on the right arm he badly broke in 2020. It is hoped it will return him to his brilliant best after a tough start to the season without a podium to his name. But it’s the human victory that will far outweigh any future on-track success he may go on to have
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Motorsport.com, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock of Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. We analyse what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP's Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How praise for Honda's MotoGP bike has given way to doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022
Why Quartararo's win was vital not only for his title hopes
Fabio Quartararo got his MotoGP title defence off the ground in the Portuguese Grand Prix as a dominant first win of 2022 rocketed him to the top of the standings. While a significant result in terms of his title hopes, it has come at an even more important time in terms of his 2023 contract negotiations