Marc Marquez has reignited the psychological battle with Jorge Martin ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, taking a pointed swipe at the possibility of team orders as the two Spaniards continue their fight for the 2026 MotoGP world title.
Speaking ahead of the Phillip Island round, the Ducati rider suggested that teams only need to issue instructions when their riders lack the pace to compete on their own.
“If you have speed, you don't need them. You need them if you don't have it,” Marquez said, in comments that appeared to be aimed at Martin and his Aprilia team.
The remark followed a tense qualifying session at the Indonesian Grand Prix, where Marquez shadowed Martin as the Aprilia rider prepared for his final run. The move appeared designed to unsettle his title rival, who had to push hard to secure his grid position.
The tactic paid off for Marquez, who qualified fourth, ahead of Martin in fifth. The pair ultimately left Mandalika with their championship battle virtually unchanged, separated by just two points.
Marquez considered that outcome a positive result, as Ducati had expected him to lose ground at a circuit that did not suit his bike particularly well.
Since returning from shoulder surgery, Marquez has generally been Ducati's leading rider and its strongest contender for race victories. That has limited the need for team orders within the Italian manufacturer, while his brother Alex Marquez has also suggested that it is too early to consider such strategies.
Aprilia, however, faces a different situation. With four competitive riders in its line-up, the team must weigh individual ambitions against Martin's championship challenge.
The manufacturer enjoyed a historic result in Indonesia, with all four of its bikes finishing ahead of the other manufacturers. Yet Martin could manage only third place, surrendering nine valuable championship points.
Source: Grande Premio
His team-mate Marco Bezzecchi remains mathematically in contention, sitting 46 points behind Martin in the standings. The Italian has made it clear that he is not currently concerned about team orders.
“I don't attach much importance to it. Right now, it doesn't affect us. If they tell us something, we'll listen and see how to act. For the moment, nothing has been said,” Bezzecchi said.
Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini acknowledged that the team had begun discussing possible guidelines to avoid internal conflicts, although its riders remained free to race each other for now.
Martin himself has also played down the likelihood of receiving help from his team-mates, saying it would be unrealistic to expect them to give up their own chances of winning.
Marquez, meanwhile, knows that Ducati does not currently have a consistent advantage over Aprilia's four-rider line-up. He therefore expects to rely largely on his own performance as he tries to reclaim the championship lead.
“I will always say that we are a team and I will try, as always, to give the maximum with Ducati and my team,” Marquez said.
“For now, I'm focused on myself and I'll try to give 100%. We'll see if we can take on the entire Aprilia contingent.”
With the title fight entering its decisive stages, Marquez's comments add another layer of tension to his rivalry with Martin. Whether the remarks affect his opponent remains to be seen, but the Ducati star has made his position clear: he intends to fight for the championship through his own speed rather than rely on team orders.
