Marc Márquez seems to be relishing the mystery surrounding his future. After a lukewarm test in Misano on the 2024 Honda, his sponsor, Estrella Galicia, had scheduled an event with Márquez (#93) for Tuesday morning in Madrid. To add more intrigue to the day, the Repsol Honda Team also hinted on their social media that something would happen at 2:00 PM, further fueling the anticipation.
Both announcements raised significant expectations on social media, with many hoping that Marc would finally clarify his sporting plans for 2024. However, all the hype amounted to nothing. The event organized by Estrella Galicia turned out to be a simple press conference titled ‘A Beer with Marc Márquez’, where the eight-time world champion discussed the present and barely touched upon his future. Meanwhile, the announcement from his team referred to the premiere of a new episode of the documentary ‘Behind The Dream’, focusing on Santi Hernández, Marc’s chief technician, available on HRC’s YouTube channel from 2:00 PM.
Adding to the uncertainty was a post by Joan Mir on his Instagram, featuring a photo of both Repsol Honda riders during the team’s presentation, accompanied by the hashtag #sequeda (he stays). Clearly, the Repsol Honda Team enjoyed teasing their followers.
Returning to the ‘Beer with Marc’ event in Madrid, Márquez shared his feelings after the Misano test. He wasn’t disappointed because, according to him, the outcome was somewhat expected. “There were new faces in the box, but they’ve just started and haven’t had time to introduce different elements on the track,” he said.
Regarding the Plan A, B, and C he mentioned for 2024, Marc isn’t ready to reveal them yet. “When facing critical situations, anyone looks for solutions. I have these three plans, which I’ll keep to myself. My commitment today is that I have a contract with Honda, and it’s unwavering since this brand has given me a lot. I’m still trying to find a solution for this project,” he stated, adding that only his “ultra-inner circle” knows what’s currently on his mind.
Among the three plans he’s considering, retirement isn’t one of them. He humorously referred to it as “Plan D”. Márquez doesn’t contemplate this because he feels motivated, eager, and is in good physical shape. “When I was in poor physical condition, I considered it because I was suffering and not enjoying riding a bike. But I’m enjoying my passion, which is motorcycling,” he said.
When asked if he’d consider taking a break from motorcycling and then return later to continue achieving success, similar to what Fernando Alonso did in Formula 1, Marc responded with a smile, “Not in motorcycling. Only someone like Fernando Alonso, who has an inhuman talent, can do that. When in a critical situation, humans look for solutions. Whether they’re feasible or not remains unknown.”
Regarding where he’ll race in 2024, the answer remains unchanged: “I have a contract for next year, and my commitment remains absolute. However, it’s true that we always seek the best for the project. Currently, my commitment is 100% with Honda.”
In conclusion, while the future remains uncertain, Marc Márquez’s dedication to Honda and his passion for motorcycling is evident. Fans and followers will undoubtedly keep a close eye on developments as they unfold.
