Marquez “used many lives” in Thailand MotoGP practice
Marc Marquez says he could “use many lives” in Friday’s MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix practice as he begins to feel like he can push harder on his recovering right arm.
The Honda rider is in the third grand prix weekend of his comeback from a fourth major operation on his right arm, with the six-time MotoGP champion’s physical condition seemingly improving all the time.
Having qualified on pole in the wet last week in Japan and finishing the dry race fourth, Marquez topped FP1 at Buriram on Friday despite a small crash and was fifth overall after FP2.
Marquez says his right arm felt good enough for him “to attack” from the off in FP1, and feels his riding style is continually returning to normal.
“Yeah, today I said to my team: I said today I used many lives. It was like in 19, on 18,” Marquez said.
“I was pushing all the laps in the practice. The problem was the last two years I couldn’t, because if I pushed all the laps then I couldn’t arrive on Sunday in a good way.
“Now, ok, maybe I will not arrive on Sunday in the best performance because of a lack of muscle. But not because it’s painful. So today I attacked.
“I attacked from the first run, I crashed in the second but it was a stupid mistake.
“But I got out and I attack and my way to find the limit is in FP1 make many mistakes and then put anything the correct position.
“And then in FP2 I was already more consistent. But it’s the same riding style like in the past – still not [fully] like the past, but it’s coming better and better.“
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Marquez admits he hopes Saturday will be wet like it was in Japan in order for him to preserve his body for the race, but feels he is already in a better place than he was at Motegi.
“I hope tomorrow it will rain, not for the result but to save my energy because today I felt already tired because today I pushed a lot,” he added.
“Today I’m very happy especially because in Motegi I felt better than in Aragon, and today I feel better than in Motegi.
“So this is what makes me feel more happy. This means with more time I will be better and better and this is the target.”
Petrucci “thought I was slower than I was” in Thailand MotoGP return
Thailand MotoGP: Martin quickest for Ducati in FP3, Marquez to Q1
Crutchlow: Yamaha MotoGP bike “needs less power” despite rider demands
Crutchlow: Yamaha MotoGP bike “needs less power” despite rider demands Crutchlow: Yamaha MotoGP bike “needs less power” despite rider demands
Binder buoyed after setting Motegi lap record on new KTM chassis
Binder buoyed after setting Motegi lap record on new KTM chassis Binder buoyed after setting Motegi lap record on new KTM chassis
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
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
Clock ticking on Ford Bathurst 1000 parity changes
Clock ticking on Ford Bathurst 1000 parity changes Clock ticking on Ford Bathurst 1000 parity changes
D'station reveals plans to return to SUPER GT in 2024
D'station reveals plans to return to SUPER GT in 2024 D'station reveals plans to return to SUPER GT in 2024
Kevin Harvick disqualified from Talladega Cup race
Kevin Harvick disqualified from Talladega Cup race Kevin Harvick disqualified from Talladega Cup race
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
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
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 challengers to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP 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 Motorsport.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.