Marc Marquez confirmed today that he will be attacking if necessary in the British Grand Prix on Sunday, despite having a 59-point lead at the top of the championship. At the last race in Austria, Marquez battled Jorge Lorenzo for the win throughout the race and right until the end, eventually taking second place.
In the Thursday press conference at the British Grand Prix, Marquez was asked if he would continue this philosophy from Austria heading to Silverstone rather than taking the safer option of settling for less points.
“Yes, of course this philosophy is my style … I think attack is the best way to defend, so yes,” replied Marquez.
The reigning world champion mentioned the new track surface and the unpredictable weather as factors that need to be considered this weekend. Rain is currently forecast all day on Sunday but the forecast has been changing frequently.
“Austria was a good weekend for us, we take 20 points, [it was] really important to fight until the end and so that was good,” said Marquez. “But now [we] forget Austria, we are here in Silverstone with a new surface, the weather, the forecast [is ok] but you never know in England.
“[We will] try to understand the tyres and the surface on Friday … try to be ready on Sunday for being on the podium and if everything is ok try to win.”
Marquez last won in Silverstone in 2014 but has not finished on the podium since. He crashed in a wet race in 2015, finished fourth in 2016 and was unlucky last year when a mechanical failure ended his race. This year, Marquez has been extremely strong on all tracks, but Ducati are now a looming threat to his race victories, if not so much for the title as things stand. The weather will end up being a huge factor in the way the weekend and consequently the race will play out, with very limited track time in the wet for all riders so far this season.
As the world champion, Marquez was also asked to say a few words on the natural disaster in Indonesia which has caused massive devastation.
“We know and realise that in Indonesia we have many fans, and also for our manufacturers its one of the most important places … More than 300 people died so for that reason I send a message for all of them because they are far from us but we are with them.” said Marquez.
