Marc Marquez is hoping to pick up some points at the Brazilian Grand Prix, though even Ducati have admitted it might be a difficult task.
The 2025 MotoGP champion left the Thailand Grand Prix empty-handed after his rear rim exploded during a fight for a podium, which happened when he hit the kerb at turn four.
Ducati struggled to keep pace with Aprilia in Buriram, with Marco Bezzecchi putting in a dominant display. With MotoGP now heading back to Brazil, Marquez will be hoping to turn things around, but another tough weekend could be ahead.
He was still dealing with lingering issues from his right shoulder injury sustained in Mandalika last year and wasn’t fully fit during the event.
The Spaniard has had three weeks to recover ahead of Goiania. Even so, there are still doubts within Ducati about whether Marquez will be back to his best form by then.
Ducati staff admit Marc Marquez might not be at his ‘very best’ with Goiania’s right-handers
Goiania has nine right-hand turns, which is an area where Marquez has been noticeably weaker since breaking his arm at Jerez in 2020.
Even so, Luca Cadalora still believes Marquez is the favourite heading into Brazil. But Ducati aren’t as sure about the 33-year-old’s chances.
Pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard spoke to a member of the Borgo Panigale outfit in Goiania, and they admitted that Marquez might struggle with the right-hand turns.
He said via MotoGP’s The Preview: “Of course, a lot of right-handers here as well, which, speaking to someone from Ducati, has said, maybe it’s not a circuit which Marc will seem at his very best.
“But then on the other side of the coin, despite those right-handers when MotoGP riders come to new venues and they have to adapt quickest and learn conditions and learn new venues.”
“The man that normally is able to exceed everyone else is Marc Marquez. So that’ll be interesting to see how he’s able to adapt.”
Is Marc Marquez closing in on retirement?
There’s been plenty of talk around the MotoGP paddock that Marquez’s 2025 injury was more serious than first thought. Carlo Pernat even said he could see ‘fear’ in the rider after his crash in Indonesia.
With just a year left on his current contract, questions about his future are starting to pop up more often. He’s reportedly looking for a one-year extension from Ducati rather than a two-year deal, possibly because he doesn’t want to lock himself in too far ahead.
“I have to look after myself and my future,” he said via TNT Sports, as quoted by MARCA. “There is no point in staying here if I am not enjoying it or if my physical condition prevents me from being competitive.”
“The only thing that matters to me is riding at the level I want. If it ever gets to a point where I can’t do it anymore, I won’t be afraid to walk away.”
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