Marc Marquez once showed he was an ‘incredible character’ with his reaction to MotoGP disqualification

Add as preferred source on Google

The 2013 Australian Grand Prix was a critical event in the title race. With just three rounds remaining, Jorge Lorenzo was running out of time to close the 43-point gap to Marc Marquez.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo took pole position, outpacing Marquez by just over two-tenths of a second. The riders knew they were entering a unique race.

The Phillip Island track had just been resurfaced, and Bridgestone couldn’t provide assurances that their tyres would survive. Therefore, the riders were forced to pit after a maximum of 10 laps, with the race shortened from 27 to 19.

However, Marquez stayed out until lap 11 before coming in, and he was subsequently shown a black flag when he emerged, along with Gresini’s Bryan Staring. Lorenzo converted pole and sliced Marquez’s lead to 18 points.

Marc Marquez was ‘laughing’ after Australian Grand Prix disqualification

Speaking on the Paddock Pass Podcast earlier this year, Jonathan Hawkins reflected on Marquez’s disqualification. After an ignominious penalty like that, most riders would have departed the circuit ‘straight away’ and avoided any real communication.

The blunder was put down to an erroneous message on his pit board, so he could easily have been furious with his team.

But Hawkins says Marquez was ‘laughing with his crew’ after that race. That was a moment that highlighted the rookie’s unique mindset.

In the end, Honda’s emerging superstar went on to win the title regardless. Neil Hodgson remembers that Marquez was remarkably nonchalant heading into the season finale in Valencia, where he sealed the crown.

“I remember talking to Herve Poncharal about him,” said Hawkins. “He was talking about, I think it was Australia where there was a flag-to-flag race.

“He left it too late to come in and I think he was disqualified. Herve was talking about him at the time, but he said, ‘The typical rider would have been sunglasses on, disappeared, headphones, left the paddock straight away’.

“Marc was sitting on a crate, eating some crisps, laughing with his crew. That Marc then was an incredible character.”

Could Marc Marquez be back on a Honda in 2027?

Marquez’s 2013 title was the first of six in seven years at Honda. That made it the most successful combination since Giacomo Agostini won seven with MV Agusta in the 500cc class in the 1960s and 70s.

The Spaniard is now on course to clinch his first premier-class championship in alternative colours. The Ducati factory rider carried a colossal 120-point lead into the summer break.

There have been some whispers that Marquez could return to Honda for 2027 if he goes back-to-back at Ducati and overtakes great rival Valentino Rossi.

However, Alberto Puig says a Marquez reunion would be ‘complicated’. He hinted that Honda would prefer to cherish the ‘memories’ they made with the Ant of Cervera.