As anticipated in the past few weeks, Marc Marquez arrived at the Red Bull Ring with the aim of lending a hand to the Honda team, in great difficulty in recent weeks. To give an idea of the problems of the Japanese manufacturer just think that the Spanish champion is still – with just 60 points added – the best placed of the Golden Wing house (Nakagami has collected 45, Pol Espargarò 42), despite having jumped well six of the last twelve races held. As is well known, Marquez underwent surgery on his right arm for the fourth time, last June 3, and is continuing on the path of recovery, which until now seems to be proceeding in line with forecasts. Finally, it recently emerged that a check scheduled at the end of August will be able to provide clearer indications on the return to the track of the Catalan centaur. On Thursday Dorna organized a special press conference in which Marquez met the journalists: below are the words of the Honda HRC rider.
After the operation. “First of all, I am very happy to be here. It seems that everything is going well, the decision to have the surgery was very important. The doctors have taken care of all the steps, we are going slowly and safely, in the right direction. I feel pretty good, it is still an arm that has undergone 4 surgeries and we are working to adapt to the best. It is starting to function normally, I do exercises that were previously impossible. I’m going to do a major CT scan next week, which will determine how to increase the weights. Then the time will come to get on a motorcycle and then I’ll understand. “
Presence in Austria. “Honda is obviously in a different situation. When all the drivers are in trouble, it means that the project is not at its best. In 2020 and 2021, perhaps I detached too much and everything seemed new to me. Now it will be different, I wanted to keep a different, closer contact with my team and the engineers. One of the reasons I’m here is to talk to Honda and the engineers. I can’t decide, but I want to be part of the decisions. One cannot make a difference, it is always a team effort. “
The recovery. “From the operation, the first 6 weeks I had my arm immobilized. After that the doctors chose to proceed conservatively, carefully, and I agreed. Better to add a week than to risk. Over the next two weeks, I started physiotherapy, then worked with rubber bands and weights. With the CT scan we will understand if I can push more or less. We will then make a plan to figure out when to return. I am aware of how important the rehabilitation of the arm and muscles is, if I have to wait I will wait. When I’m at 70-80% I’ll be back on the bike, when that’s the case I’ll do it. “
The Honda problems. “I haven’t tried the latest changes. From Mugello the situation of the bike was difficult, it was an important problem. But now I will focus not on the bike, but on the team project. Information has to flow smoothly and you have to work as a team, with motivation. I’m here to help the team, the goal is to try to understand the 2022 project. “
Change the team. “When I speak of teams, I am not referring to people but to the concept of team. Europeans work differently. Honda is working like never before, budget and riders, it is not true that they are not doing anything. I intend to change the coordination, the ideas. I can’t give Honda the direction, but they have to figure out the best way to organize things. Work at the factory level is becoming more and more important, and must be synergistic with the circuit. The goal is to have the best bike, I am and we are here to win titles. This seems like the best time to all work together. I can tell what the weaknesses are, or where we are losing compared to the other bikes. I strongly believe in Honda engineers. “
Honda and the changes. “The world is changing, the championship is changing. We need to understand how to improve and Honda is working hard in this, we must not panic. We have to analyze the situation and they are doing it well. Everyone has to find a way to work in the same direction. My intention is maybe to do some races, but I have to wait for next week’s exam. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do one, two or three races, we’ll see. “
Relations with Alex in Ducati. “He is my brother and we live together. We never mix the family and business aspects. I try to help him, and he does the same, as happens at the Valentino Academy. But on the track everyone has his secrets, and so he is now and will be next year. We have a very close relationship, we work together because it helps us. In Honda there will be Alex Rins, who is fast and experienced, then we’ll find out who my teammate will be. “
Mental aspect. “THEthe worst point was just before the decision of the last operation. After the surgery I was already optimistic, but before going under the knife again it was difficult. I tried to follow the feeling with my body and I realized that it was time to do it. “
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