Marc Márquez has admitted he is no longer limited by injury, but faces a different challenge at the Spanish Grand Prix, a lack of outright speed.
After nearly a month away from racing, the Ducati rider confirmed he has returned to full fitness. However, despite feeling physically strong, Márquez acknowledged that he currently does not have the pace to fight at the front.
“I’m physically OK,” he said, while stressing that performance remains the main concern rather than fitness.
Instead of targeting a podium, the six-time MotoGP world champion lowered expectations, admitting his focus is simply to manage the weekend as best as possible.
“I don’t have the potential to attack,” he explained, suggesting that his goal in Jerez is more about “surviving” the race than contending for victory.
Márquez pointed to specific areas where he is losing time, particularly in fast corners and left-hand turns, where he has struggled to find confidence and consistency. He also revealed that the issue becomes more pronounced on fresh tyres, a disadvantage at a circuit where qualifying position plays a key role.
“We are working inside our garage to improve the weak points,” he said, highlighting ongoing efforts with his team to address those limitations.
Early pace comparisons at Jerez have underlined the challenge, with rivals, including his brother Álex Márquez, showing stronger speed across practice sessions. Márquez has found himself trailing by several tenths, reinforcing his cautious outlook for the weekend.
Despite the current struggles, Márquez remains focused on gradual improvement, treating the Spanish Grand Prix as an opportunity to rebuild confidence and close the performance gap rather than chase immediate results.
