Marc Marquez never tired of repeating that the only thing he needed was to be fast on Friday, get into Q2 and qualify well on the grid to be in contention for the victory. So far, at the start of the Italian Grand Prix, the Spaniard has done half the job, finishing in the top ten. Which will allow him to work calmly on Saturday morning to prepare for qualifying. In the first session of the day, Marc led the times almost until the end, and also in the afternoon he was very fast at the start on the soft compound, and worked very well on the medium.
“A very good day. It was very nice to ride a Ducati at Mugello. The basic set-up was already good. I rode thinking about the fastest lap, and it worked better for me”, explained the Gresini Racing rider at the end of the session. day.
“With the Ducati I feel more competitive at Mugello, but I still struggle. I suffer more than in other circuits, but I’m competitive. I know how to suffer, I’ve done it throughout my career”, explained Marquez, who arrives on this circuit historically favorable to Ducati after three consecutive podiums in Jerez, Le Mans and Barcelona.
Now, however, Marc knows that “we have to give priority to improving the lap time”, in order to start from the front rows of the grid and improve these podiums to turn them into his first victory with Ducati, which if it arrives on Sunday will be the 93rd of the Italian brand in MotoGP.
“It’s not over, because there is a Q2 and a Sprint. These are just free practice. It seems like I’m a little closer on the flying lap, but it’s not enough. This bike allows you to relax a little more “.
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Marc was asked to describe what changes when tackling this magnificent track at the handlebars of the GP23: “With the Ducati, the first sensation at Mugello is that it seems like a different circuit”, he confessed.
Regardless of what happened on the track, off the circuit the battle for the future of the eight-time world champion is still ongoing. Yesterday Marc closed the door on a move to Prima Pramac Racing and today the Italian team slammed the door again. However, this Friday the driver and the owner of the Italian team, Paolo Campinoti, spoke and clarified the situation.
“We have always had a good and honest relationship with Campinoti. We have always said things to each other’s faces,” he said, before concluding that things with the Ducati boss are also good. “We have always had a very honest relationship with Dall’Igna, since 2018.”
Finally, Marc left a reflection on his sensations and way of approaching the races.
“The arm injury changed the way I approached racing and life. I had never celebrated a podium like the one in Montmelò. I thought my career was over, and that’s why I now enjoy every moment I have presents itself”, concluded number 93.
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