Chaos in the Gresini Garage: Marc Marquez’s Pre-Race Tyre Trouble and Austrian MotoGP Drama

Marc Marquez discloses 'disorder' related to Austrian MotoGP start device error

Marc Marquez encountered issues at the Austrian MotoGP even before leaving the Gresini team's garage…

Marc Marquez disclosed that the issues he faced at the beginning of the Austrian MotoGP started well before he mounted his GP23 and departed from the Gresini team's pit area.

The eight-time world champion was unable to activate his front start device while on the starting grid, which led to him falling behind as they approached the first turn. He subsequently collided with Franco Morbidelli during braking, causing him to slip back to 13th position.

However, it was all due to an unexpected problem with the tires before the race.

The initial indication of trouble appeared when Marquez entered the rear section of the Gresini garage 30 minutes before the race start, and television cameras caught two mechanics rushing by him with a front tire.

"We had a bit of bad luck today," remarked Marquez, who ultimately finished fourth in the grand prix. "It was unfortunate because just half an hour before the race, the mechanics discovered a broken valve while checking the tyre pressure."

"And as shown in the television footage, they hurried to Michelin to swap the tire onto a different rim."

“However, while the pit stop was executed excellently, the tire temperature significantly decreased. This drop in temperature led to the ensuing chaos.”

"During the warm-up lap, my main focus was on getting the front tire up to the right temperature."

"On the final straight, I applied the brakes and activated the front device correctly. However, when I braked again to warm up the front tire, the device disengaged. After that, I couldn't pick up enough speed to reactivate it before reaching the grid."

"Starting well was challenging without that front device. However, I remained very calm at the first corner."

"I thought to myself, 'Alright, I'll brake early to avoid overdoing it, and let's see what happens.' But then I got a hard hit from the left side, which pushed us wide. We started from 13th place and gradually made our way forward."

In 2027, MotoGP will prohibit the use of ride height devices.

"We will implement a ban, but it will take effect in 2027. A solution, similar to what was done with aerodynamics, has already been decided," Marquez commented. "Between now and 2027, as KTM demonstrated with aerodynamics this weekend, we can expect to see numerous developments," he added, while dismissing demands for an immediate holeshot ban.

"We can't prohibit a device prematurely just because I made an error. The same rule applies to everyone, and other riders have made similar mistakes in the past."

"It's true that there are now many components to manage on the bike," he mentioned. "When some riders move up from Moto2, they say, 'There's so much we need to handle.'"

"However, due to the confusion we experienced with the front tyre today, I focused more on raising the tyre's temperature and paid less attention to the front device."

"I activated it, but then I turned it off considering the front temperature, and applied load and pressure to raise the temperature."

"That's just the way things are."

Demonstrating his speed to secure a podium finish on Sunday, Marquez remarked, “In Catalunya, we ended up 2nd in the Sprint and 3rd in the Grand Prix, but it was one of the most challenging weekends for us.”

"This weekend was one of the greatest: The connection with the bike, the pace during practice, in the qualifying rounds, and being the fastest in the warm-up. But it ended with no points yesterday and a 4th place finish today."

"I really liked the pace this weekend, and it's definitely present."

Marquez is still in fourth place in the world championship standings, trailing Francesco Bagnaia by 83 points and Enea Bastianini, who is in third place, by 22 points. Next season, Marquez will take Bastianini's spot on the factory Ducati team.

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