The journey of Alex Marquez in the MotoGP championship has been met with various challenges and obstacles since his debut in 2020. Despite his achievements in the Moto2 category, Marquez found himself facing limitations that hindered his progression in the premier class.
One significant setback for Marquez occurred when a prospective move to the Petronas SRT team for the 2021 season was blocked by Yamaha. In a revealing documentary on DAZN, it was disclosed that Marquez had signed a contract to step up to MotoGP with Petronas SRT after Fabio Quartararo moved to the factory squad.
However, Yamaha invoked a controversial decision, stating that “no member of the Marquez family can be in Yamaha.” This stems from the contentious incident between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, where accusations were made about conspiracies and championship hopes being sabotaged.
Marquez expressed his disappointment and frustration regarding this situation, stating that he had longed for a chance to compete in MotoGP. He had even considered a potential year in Moto2 before making the transition. Marquez believed that joining Petronas Yamaha, a team he admired due to their success in the 2019 season, would suit his riding style.
However, despite the promising prospects, the deal did not materialize due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving Marquez to search for alternative options to continue his MotoGP journey.
Razlan Razali, former SRT and RNF team boss, shed light on the behind-the-scenes negotiations that took place between Marquez and Petronas SRT. Secret meetings were held, and a contract was signed to secure Marquez’s position with the team for the Moto2 and MotoGP categories.
Razali recounted the excitement and the dedication shown by Marquez during this process. However, the resistance from Yamaha, based on their strained relationship with Marc Marquez, ultimately thwarted the plans. Yamaha prohibited Alex Marquez’s involvement due to the personal grudges emanating from the controversial incident involving Valentino Rossi.
The rivalry between Rossi and Marc Marquez has been well-documented and has added fuel to the fire of their personal differences. The incident at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix further intensified their animosity, with Rossi accusing Marquez of deliberately sabotaging his championship aspirations.
Although tensions appeared to ease in the 2016 season, they were reignited in 2018 when the two collided at the Argentina GP. The ongoing friction between Rossi and Marquez played a significant role in Yamaha’s decision to prevent Alex Marquez from joining their team.
Despite the setback faced in securing a spot with Petronas SRT, Marquez continued his MotoGP career by joining LCR Honda in 2021. Interestingly, the second seat at SRT was occupied by Rossi, who had been displaced from the factory team to make way for Quartararo, the eventual 2021 world champion.
In the upcoming season, both Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez will reunite as teammates at Gresini Ducati, with Marc deciding to leave Honda prematurely. Marc showcased his potential at the Valencia test last month, finishing fourth and standing just 0.171 seconds off the leading pace.
As Alex Marquez embarks on a new chapter in his MotoGP journey, it is essential to reflect on the limitations and obstacles he faced throughout his career. Despite the challenges, Marquez has shown resilience and determination, and with the support of his team, he looks forward to making his mark on the world stage.
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