Breaking news
MotoGP
Zarco: Quartararo's speed forced early Marquez return
Fabio Quartararo's pace in the opening round of the MotoGP season at Jerez effectively forced Marc Marquez to speed up his return to action, believes Johann Zarco.
Jamie Klein Léna Buffa
Published: Jul 24, 2020, 1:49 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Marquez underwent surgery on Tuesday on his broken arm following his violent crash late on in the Spanish Grand Prix, which came while he was chasing down eventual winner Quartararo and trying to make up for lost time after his early off.
Despite having originally targeted a return to action in next month's Czech Grand Prix at Brno, it emerged on Wednesday that Marquez would attempt to get back on his Repsol Honda for this weekend's Andalusian GP, also taking place at Jerez.
The reigning world champion agreed to sit out Friday practice in order not to further aggravate the injury, having already had four days of running at the Spanish track.
Avintia Ducati rider Zarco, second-quickest during Friday afternoon's second practice session, suggested Quartararo's speed at Jerez last weekend convinced Marquez he could not afford to spend the Andalusian GP on the sidelines.
"I think so, and maybe that's even what could have pushed him to crash, because Fabio is very fast," said Zarco.
"He's been one of the fastest riders since the middle of last year, with pole positions, track records, and in races he is almost the only one along with [Andrea] Dovizioso to have fought for victory, to have finished two tenths behind Marc, to have fought [with him] until the last corner.
"What forces him to come back is the strength of Fabio, who goes very fast and can take a lot of points, especially as he started with 25 points [for winning at Jerez]. And there are 13 races, the championship is almost only half as long as normal."
Fabio Quartararo, Petronas Yamaha SRT, Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team,
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Zarco went on to add that he personally wouldn't have attempted a comeback so soon, but didn't doubt the validity of the advice given to Marquez by surgeon Dr. Xavier Mir.
"I wouldn't race if I had that kind of injury," the Frenchman said. "The medical supervision I have wouldn't let me go. Even if I wanted to race at all costs, they would advise me not to.
"[Mir] is a professional, so if he says yes, OK. But from a purely physiological point of view, it's not the best, it can leave after-effects. A title with possible after-effects, or no title and no after-effects, you have to choose."
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Andalusian GP: Nakagami leads Zarco in second practice
Next article Espargaro can fight for "something great" on KTM
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Johann Zarco
MotoGP 2027 grid: All confirmed rider signings
MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP 2027 grid: All confirmed rider signings
Johann Zarco: “My ego is filled” after impressive MotoGP comeback in Aragon
MotoGP
MotoGP
Aragon GP
Johann Zarco: “My ego is filled” after impressive MotoGP comeback in Aragon
Johann Zarco set to return at Aragon GP after terrifying Barcelona accident
MotoGP
MotoGP
Aragon GP
Johann Zarco set to return at Aragon GP after terrifying Barcelona accident
Latest news
Marc Marquez puts his chances of retiring within three years at 70%
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
20 min
Marc Marquez puts his chances of retiring within three years at 70%
Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice debut
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
55 min
Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice debut
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Brazilian GP
2 h
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Feature
Discover prime content
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe