After an 11-year relationship with Honda, six-time premier class champion Marc Marquez is set to bid farewell to the Japanese manufacturer at the end of this weekend. The news of his departure, announced in October, marks the end of an era for both Marquez and Honda. With an impressive record of 59 race wins and 101 podium finishes, all of Marquez’s title victories were achieved under the Honda banner. However, his journey in recent years has been plagued by challenges and setbacks.
Challenges and Triumphs
Marquez’s last four seasons with Honda have been far from smooth sailing. A season-ending injury at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix forced him to sit out most of the year. He made a triumphant return in 2021, only to be hit by a second bout of diplopia later in the season. This condition led to him missing another grand prix and added to his ongoing struggles with Honda’s RC213V.
As Marquez prepares for his final race with Honda, he acknowledges the realities of the situation. Though he may have hoped for a fairytale ending, he understands that he cannot afford to be overly ambitious. When asked about his expectations for the race weekend, he humbly replied, “I don’t know… let’s see on Friday… let’s see during the weekend… we need to be realistic.” Despite the challenges he has faced, Marquez remains committed to giving his best performance, just as he has done in previous races.
Leaving Behind a Familiar Crew
One of the most significant changes for Marquez is bidding farewell to his Honda crew, including his long-time crew chief Santi Hernandez. As he transitions to the Gresini Ducati team in 2024, Marquez will only be able to take one mechanic with him. However, he will have the opportunity to work alongside Joan Mir’s 2020 Suzuki title-winning crew chief Frankie Carchedi at Gresini. This new chapter poses both excitement and challenges for Marquez, who reflects on the significance of leaving behind the familiar faces and dynamics within the Honda team.
As the final race with Honda approaches, Marquez finds himself grappling with mixed emotions. He acknowledges the difficulty of concentrating solely on the track, given the sentimental value of this race. Marquez articulates, “Super difficult weekend to control the emotions and to be concentrating on track because I don’t like to say it will be my last race with Honda, because you never know.” An air of uncertainty lingers, as Marquez contemplates the end of an era that saw him achieve six world championships in just 11 years. However, he is determined to savor every moment of this weekend, cherishing it as a collection of memories that will forever hold a special place in his heart.
As Marquez prepares to close this chapter of his career, he looks towards the future with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Working with a new team and embracing new opportunities will undoubtedly present unique challenges. Marquez himself admits, “it’s difficult to imagine me working with another group.” However, he is eager to embark on this new journey, fueled by the indomitable spirit that has defined his career thus far.
Marc Marquez’s last race with Honda signifies the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career. Despite the difficulties he has faced in recent years, Marquez remains determined to give his best performance and leave a lasting impression. As he bids farewell to Honda and embraces new challenges, the motoring world eagerly awaits the next chapter of Marquez’s incredible journey.
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