Marc Marquez may have delivered one of his most dominant performances of the 2026 MotoGP season at the German Grand Prix, but the Ducati rider admits he could not fully enjoy the victory because of his brother Alex's misfortune.
Marquez completed a perfect weekend at Sachsenring by taking pole position, winning the Sprint and leading every lap of Sunday's Grand Prix. The result also reignited his title challenge as he heads into the summer break.
Despite the commanding win, the eight-time world champion revealed he was "not 100 per cent happy" after Alex crashed out while running in a strong position.
"Of course I was happy because we won, but not completely," Marquez said. "When your brother crashes and you know how much he was risking and fighting, it changes the feeling."
Source: Crash.net
Alex had qualified alongside Marc on the front row and looked capable of securing another podium before his race ended prematurely. His retirement also dealt a blow to his championship hopes, making the outcome harder for Marc to celebrate.
Marc admitted that, although they are rivals on track, family always comes first once the chequered flag falls.
The German Grand Prix was another reminder of Marc's remarkable record at Sachsenring. The victory marked his 10th MotoGP win at the circuit, equalling Giacomo Agostini's record for the most premier class victories at a single venue. It also completed a flawless weekend after he topped qualifying and claimed the Sprint victory a day earlier.
The result has brought Marquez firmly back into the championship battle after recovering from a triple-digit points deficit earlier in the season.
Even so, the Ducati rider said the emotional impact of seeing his younger brother's race end in the gravel meant the celebrations were more subdued than usual.
For Marquez, the perfect result would have been standing on the podium alongside Alex. Instead, a dominant victory came with mixed emotions, proving that even in MotoGP's fiercest battles, family remains more important than silverware.
