Honda’s troublesome winter continued in Portugal final weekend on the closing two-day check of the pre-season, with Marquez ending up 14th overall behind new team-mate Joan Mir.
Marquez says he rode the bike he completed with within the Malaysia check on Sunday in Portugal and did really feel “higher” as he labored on race set-up.
However he concedes even with this, Honda just isn’t going to the opening spherical of the 2023 season in a position to struggle for the win or problem for a podium.
“Sadly, among the issues that Honda anticipated would work on observe was not working like we anticipated,” Marquez mentioned when requested to sum up his check.
“After which I used to be using the identical bike immediately as we completed with in Malaysia. It’s true that we modified the set-up a bit, my crew organised an excellent plan and we did just a few steps and I used to be feeling higher and higher.
“I used to be in a position to work on the rhythm, as a result of if you strive various things each run it’s harder.
“However now, for Portimao we can not take into consideration the rostrum or the victory. We’ve got to consider what we’ve, attempt to take the very best. Additionally, the situations will change, the rubber on the observe.
Perception: What we learned from the final MotoGP pre-season test of 2023
“We are going to see, however in the intervening time if tomorrow was the race with the situations we had on observe [in the test] we will struggle for fifth to 10th, I imagine.”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Staff
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Marquez wouldn’t remark if he felt the 2023 Honda genuinely has untapped potential to have the ability to struggle on the entrance of the grid, however says he “can not begin a season with a unfavourable mentality”.
“We are going to see,” he added. “In fact, we have to imagine in it and in the intervening time within the standings all people has zero factors. Then after we go 5, six races you’ll perceive instantly the place you might be.
“But it surely’s true we have to make a step, to maintain enhancing. However you can’t begin a season with a unfavourable mentality. You should begin with a optimistic mentality, looking for the very best.
“If it’s essential to struggle for the highest 5, attempt to struggle for the highest 5. If it’s essential to struggle for the highest 10, attempt to struggle for the highest 10.
“This would be the key of the season. For those who begin a season with a unfavourable mentality, it is going to be a really lengthy season with 42 races.”
Marquez did try a time assault lap on Sunday in Portugal, however had his first lap interrupted by a difficulty.
He felt the lap time was “not unhealthy’ contemplating this and that he was “very quick” within the first three sectors, solely to “lose every little thing” within the closing break up.
