Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s first impression of the Goiania circuit is overwhelmingly positive as MotoGP returns after 37 years away. The layout is largely unchanged since the 1989 event, which was won by Kevin Schwantz.
Concerns have been raised in the run-up to the race, chiefly about the weather. After a paddock access tunnel and at least two corners were flooded, one MotoGP team manager called the situation ‘worrying’.
Brazilian Grand Prix organisers are also facing safety questions, particularly about the relative lack of runoff area at the extremely fast turn one. But Marquez was effusive after seeing the track up close for the first time.
Marc Marquez’s first reaction to Brazilian Grand Prix track
Hot, dry conditions greeted the riders for media day on Thursday, though they are braced for further rain during the race weekend. All three days could be affected, though the risk is lowest for Sunday.
While Marquez isn’t expecting the same grip he enjoys at traditional European circuits, he is confident the track will feel ‘perfectly normal’ after the bikes clean it up. Both practice sessions have been extended by 15 minutes to allow for additional adaptation time.
What’s your podium prediction for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
Lap times are estimated to be around the 1:15 mark, considerably quicker than usual. That will also help the riders feel comfortable before Sunday’s 31-lap race – the longest by that measure since 2013.
“The track looks beautiful, it looks good,” said Marquez, via AS. “It’s true that perhaps the main problem of the weekend will be those storms.
“There might be some problems. But well, they’ll come. For now, it’s sunny, the weather is good, and that’s where we have to adapt to the track as quickly as possible to get everything ready.
“That doesn’t worry me because it’s like when we first arrived in Indonesia or Argentina. These are new asphalts, so the surface won’t be like those in Europe or circuits with more years in the world championship.
“But I’m convinced that with all the laps we can do here, since it’s a short circuit and the practice sessions are longer, it will gradually clean up and by the end of the weekend the grip will be perfectly normal.”
‘I’m in better shape than I was in Thailand’ – Marc Marquez’s fitness update
Marquez is looking to win at a 23rd different MotoGP circuit, which would equal Valentino Rossi and put him just one behind Mick Doohan’s record. His past success at Austin (2013), Termas de Rio Hondo (2014), Buriram (2018) and Balaton Park (2025) bodes well, though he says the ‘recklessness’ of youth helped him.
There are some fears, even within Ducati, that the Brazilian GP circuit won’t suit Marquez. The first four turns are all right-handers, an area of weakness for the Spaniard since his arm operations.
Michelin are bringing their harder rear-tyre casing to the race and, as Thailand demonstrated, this can be a problem for Ducati. But the positive news is that Marquez’s physical condition is improving; it was clear last time out that he wasn’t fully fit.
“It has always been one of my strengths to arrive at a new circuit, given my riding style, throughout my career,” he said. “It’s true that when I was 20, it was even more of a strength than now, due to that touch of recklessness that a young rider has.
- READ MORE: Neil Hodgson says Brazilian Grand Prix track surface will highlight Marc Marquez’s unique ‘gift’
“But we’ll try to manage it as best we can, but I do have a feeling it will be a weekend where the Aprilia, Acosta, and many Ducatis will be at the front.
“I’d prefer that sequence of long corners to be left-handers, but oh well, we have to adapt and start learning the lines. It will be a demanding circuit, especially because of these long right-hand corners, in terms of the rear tyre.
“That’s why Michelin has also brought the casings from Thailand and Austria, which are harder casings. We’ll try to adapt as best we can, and physically I’m in better shape than I was in Thailand.”
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