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Honda’s troublesome winter continued in Portugal final weekend on the last two-day check of the pre-season, with Marquez ending up 14th total behind new team-mate Joan Mir.
Marquez says he rode the bike with which he completed the Malaysia check and did really feel “higher” as he labored on race set-up on Sunday.
However regardless of the enhancements, Marquez conceded that Honda shouldn’t be going to the opening spherical of the 2023 season able 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 stated when requested to sum up his check.
“After which I used to be using the identical bike at this time as we completed with in Malaysia. It’s true that we modified the set-up a bit, my staff 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 attempt various things each run it’s tougher.
“However now, for [the] Portimao [race] we can’t take into consideration the rostrum or the victory. We now have to consider what we’ve, attempt to take the most effective. Additionally, the situations will change, the rubber on the observe.
“We are going to see, however in the meanwhile if tomorrow was the race with the situations we had on observe [in the test] we will struggle for fifth to 10th, I consider.”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Group
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’t begin a season with a unfavorable mentality”.
“We are going to see,” he added. “In fact, we have to consider in it and in the meanwhile within the standings everyone has zero factors. Then after we move 5, six races you’ll perceive instantly the place you’re.
“However it’s true we have to make a step, to maintain enhancing. However you can’t begin a season with a unfavorable mentality. It’s worthwhile to begin with a constructive mentality, looking for the most effective.
“If it’s good to struggle for the highest 5, attempt to struggle for the highest 5. If it’s good 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 unfavorable mentality, will probably 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 problem.
He felt the lap time was “not dangerous’ contemplating this and that he was “very quick” within the first three sectors, solely to “lose all the things” within the last cut up.
