Marc Marquez revealed that his recent Silverstone practice showed a noticeable drop in performance, admitting he can no longer offset the deficits that once allowed him to thrive on high‑speed tracks.
Practice Time Highlights
In Friday’s free session, the 33‑year‑old found himself seventh overall, trailing early‑season leader Marco Bezzecchi’s Aprilia by more than seven‑tenths of a second. The gap widened against teammate Fabio di Giannantonio’s VR46 Ducati, with Marquez trailing by over three‑tenths.
Self‑Acknowledged Weakening
During comments after the session, Marquez said his riding style—effective at loops and flowing curves—now ends up slower when the circuit demands continuous speed. He blamed his physical condition, noting a shoulder injury that limits his ability to push the bike to its full potential.
He added that, unlike previous seasons where he could compensate for these shortcomings by capitalising on his strengths, 2026’s game rules have changed. Marquez stressed that on Silverstone’s fast corners he can no longer rely on past advantages.
Family Benchmarking
Observing his brother Alex, who moved from the Gresini team, Marquez praised the younger rider’s speed, especially in the flowing corners. “When I tried to mirror Alex, I actually lost more time because I over‑rode,” he recalled.
Both Marquez and di Giannantonio are outpaced by Aprilia, yet the Ducati pair acknowledged that when the track shifts to rougher “stop‑and‑go” sections, they can regain ground.
Strategic Outlook for the Session
Marquez expressed a clear objective: to finish within the top five in spite of the current pace. He indicated that the team is assessing setups to mitigate the current disadvantages while still aiming for consistent lap times.
Considering Assen, where Ducati’s style is traditionally strong, Marquez remains optimistic for future races, even as he recognises the uphill battle at Silverstone’s faster configuration.
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