With Honda not at the peak of its powers, 2023 was never going to be an easy campaign for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in his quest to return to the summit of MotoGP™. Not only that, but the level of competition has been raised in the last few years – both on the manufacturer and rider front.
However, what’s unfolded has been tougher than many could have foreseen. A hand injury in Portimao saw Marquez miss three rounds, while the German GP saw the #93 crash five times – the last one, in Warm Up, causing Marquez to injure his ankle, left thumb and ribs.
Having to withdraw from Sunday at the Sachsenring, the Dutch GP brought two more crashes and another withdrawal, with his rib injury causing too much pain on the bike and a sleepless Saturday night. A nightmare end to the opening half of the season.
But what have some of the sport’s Legends made of Marquez’s 2023 situation?
Wayne Rainey has reflected on the possibility of what a change of scenery could bring for Marquez, while Mick Doohan, a five-time premier class World Champion with Honda, recently pointed out that Honda isn’t the place for Marquez to win a title right now.
Five-time World Champion and Marquez’s former Repsol Honda teammate Jorge Lorenzo has also speculated that the eight-time World Champion could end up at Ducati in the not-so-distant future. In addition, Dani Pedrosa, Marquez’s long-time Repsol Honda teammate, said to DAZN that the situation is becoming a little tiring.
It’s an unexpected storyline for 2023 in MotoGP™. But what do you think about Marquez’s and Honda’s current situation? Let’s see what the second half of the season brings.