Marc Marquez’s surprising absence from the Japanese GP kart race hit the paddock hard, as a body double took the spot he left behind.
Weekend chaos reshapes the schedule
Weeks before the Grand Prix, organisers announced a new karting event for MotoGP riders. However, a burst of tyre issues on Saturday forced teams to push for an extension of the morning warm‑up, pushing the kart race into the early‑morning slot once again. The revised timetable saw a longer warm‑up, a quirky kart contest, and the traditional parade lap all squeezed into a single day.
While the lights flashed, Pramac’s Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller entertained spectators with a flurry of on‑track antics, turning the race into something of a comedy revue. Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra edged past Pedro Acosta to claim the green flag in a tight finish, adding a highlight to an already chaotic day.
The double‑tooth scandal surfaces
When the karting event began, a shadowy figure in Marquez’s helmet and gloves appeared on the track, sparking confusion among fellow riders. Jorge Martín, the points leader, moved his kart beside the envelope and tried to lift the visor for confirmation, only to find a concealed face. An IRTA official made a similar attempt and was rebuffed, confirming something was off.
After a 20‑minute warm‑up, Marquez returned to the paddock with a right‑arm physiotherapy session and ice. He later explained his decision to skip the kart race: “After the warm‑up I needed ice on my right arm, and someone suggested we send a doppelgänger, so we did.” The move drew an official reprimand, which Marquez accepted as a reminder of the championship’s gravity.
Despite the controversy, Marquez still triumphantly crossed the finish line during the Japanese GP motorcycle race. “We’re fighting for the championship, not for fun,” he said immediately afterwards, adding that the priority remained performance when stakes were high. Jorge Martín acknowledged the surprise but admitted he could understand Marquez’s decision, noting that the earlier tyre mishaps had already rattled the safety line for many riders.
In a season already marked by fierce on‑track battles, the karting incident underscores the razor‑thin line between entertainment and competitiveness that grips the latest MotoGP weekend in Japan.
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