It is a process that the less and less convalescent Marc Marquez has no qualms regarding repeating as soon as he has the opportunity during qualifying, and which consists of following the fastest driver of the moment to improve his own fate. It’s completely allowed by the regulations, like the ailerons and the attitude corrector, so why deprive yourself of it? The eight-time World Champion makes no secret of it and he readily admitted that his second time at the end of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix owed a lot to the rear wheel of Pecco Bagnaia. But did he embarrass the latter by doing so? Ducati responds…
Once once more it is the behavior of Marc Marquez which makes speak with this obsession to seek the wake of Bagnaia in Q2, even managing, finally, to steal a place in the standings. A situation that we have cashed in Ducati where the pressure is already great enough with the challenge of a world title to conquer. The time is therefore no longer to waste concentration and energy on trivialities…” For the moment everything is well “commented the general manager Gigi Dall’Igna at the end of qualifying. ” Admittedly here the tires will be important, you have to make the right choice both front and rear… It’s a bit like Pecco’s philosophy “. And on Marc Marquezhe adds : ” he would have attacked even with Quartararo behind him. So far it hasn’t bothered us, so that’s fine ».
The Piedmontese rider, in the race for the MotoGP title just two points behind the Frenchman from Yamaha, understood that he had become the benchmark in Q2. ” If I had slowed down to let them pass, they wouldn’t have passed, they would have cut the throttle until they stopped on the track. I always prefer to have the road free, I’m happy with the result of these qualifications » analyzes the teammate of the local hero Jack Millereighth who adds: “ I am satisfied with the first line which was fundamental. In FP4 we made a good step forward which also helped us in qualifying ».
Pecco Bagnaia: « I didn’t care regarding Marc Marquez, he’s not fighting for the title »
He also specifies when opening his reflection on the race that awaits him: “ Sunday might be a group race, it will be important to manage the tires well. We have the pace to try to win or at least fight for the podium, we have great potential. Like I said, I didn’t care regarding Marc Marquez, he’s not fighting for the title, but other strategies will be needed in the future. My opponent is Fabio, so I’m happy to be ahead of him ».
We will recall the words of Marc Marquez at the end of the qualifications: the wake was essential for the lap time. It was clear to me when I saw in free practice that the Ducati was extremely fast on this track. It was my only chance to finish on the front line ».
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MotoGP Australia J2: qualifying
Ranking credit motogp.com
