Marquez: “I wanted to take a risk”

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) made a gamble on the grid in the Czech GP, changing from the harder wet tyres to the soft – planning to make a run for it and expecting the track to take longer to dry out.

When the sun began to come out, the softer tyre proved the wrong choice – so the number 93 headed straight into the pits to gamble again. This time, it was a perfect hand – with Marquez able to get back into his rhythm as the track dried out, eventually ending up with a 20 second lead once the pack had shuffled through the pits.

Genius, luck or both, it was another masterclass in flag-to-flag racing – and one of the risks he took certainly paid big.

Marc Marquez, P1: “Honestly, it was a difficult Sunday. First of all, a special Sunday. All the riders were riding for one legend that we lost and it was extra motivation. Today I felt like I wanted to take a risk to try and win the race. The first decision was on the grid, that time was the incorrect decision…I put on the soft tyre because my plan was to push for four or five laps and then go in. But it was the wrong decision, it was spinning and I lost many positions. That made me go into the box a bit earlier, but it was the only chance I had. When I came out on slicks I almost crashed three or four times, but then I started to calm down. Then one lap when I passed the pit board it said P1, plus 18 or 20 seconds and then everything was better, the sun came out! I normally struggle a lot at this circuit every year but the test we did here in summer break was really important. To leave Brno with 25 points gives me good confidence. Today, I don’t know why, I got up and said ‘I want to take a risk’. And I did in all ways, and in the end we have 25 points for the Championship. Now we’ll enjoy this victory, then there’s a test tomorrow to where we have to try some setups to understand better before the Red Bull Ring. Last year we struggled but we were there, not very far, so if we can improve a bit I think we can fight for the podium. But first we should enjoy the win, then on Friday after FP1 and FP2 I’ll let you know how we are!”