Marco Bezzecchi
Neil Hodgson says Marc Marquez was surrounded by 16 engineers in the Ducati garage after the Sunday warm-up at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Marquez crashed at high speed through turn 11 on lap two, shortly after losing the lead of the race to his brother Alex. The Ducati rider quickly got to his feet and was seen walking back into the garage shortly after.
The reigning world champion won a chaotic Sprint race on Saturday despite falling but he still hasn’t scored a Grand Prix podium since he sealed his seventh premier-class title in Japan last September.
Marc Marquez is out! A MASSIVE crash for the Ducati rider at the Spanish Grand Prix 😲 What does this mean for his 2026 title hopes?
Neil Hodgson says Ducati were ‘trying something’ at the Spanish Grand Prix
Marquez, who qualified on pole position, was second-fastest in the warm-up, just half a tenth slower than his brother.
Ordinarily, around six team members would gather a rider’s feedback after such a session, but there were nearly three times as many engineers around Marquez on Sunday.
Hodgson reckons the team were anxiously waiting for the results of an experimental setup. While Alex Marquez delivered the first GP26 victory of the year on the Gresini, the factory team’s woes continue.
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“When we were stood outside the factory Ducati team’s garage after the morning warm-up, we’re used to seeing a lot of engineers around Marc Marquez, but there were 16 people leant in, listening to Marc’s comments,” Hodgson said on TNT Sports.
“Normally, there’d be maybe six. If there were 10, it’s a lot. If there’s 16 people stood there, you’re trying something big, did he like it, what’s the reaction?
“It looks like the Aprilia’s a sweeter, easier motorcycle to ride this year. It turns better, stops as well. Ducati have lost their advantage.”
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Marquez felt he could have passed his brother later in the race if he stayed with him in the early stages, Hodgson says. That may be why he pushed so hard after losing the lead.
“You can understand what he’s thinking, ‘If I can just go with my brother for these opening laps, I’ve genuinely got a chance later on’, but it was all a bit too much too soon,” he said.
“It was probably the fastest he’s entered that corner, full tank of fuel as well.”
- READ MORE: Marc Marquez told his Ducati engineers to ‘stop talking about fitness’ ahead of the Spanish GP
The only positive for Marquez is that the first in-season test of the year is scheduled for Monday. Along with factory teammate Francesco Bagnaia, he will trial new parts to sharpen Ducati’s front-end.
“Luckily for Marc, there is a test tomorrow. Everybody’s testing, and you feel like he needs it. He’s not happy with the feeling at the front of the bike, and we’re hearing the same comments from Pecco Bagnaia.”
Bagnaia suffered a DNF for technical reasons, making it four retirements in as many races for the red bikes.
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