Valencia GP, the final round of MotoGP 2022, was a tough race for Honda. Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team), who entered the race from 2nd place in qualifying, crashed in the 8th corner on the 10th lap while running in 4th place, and eventually retired.
Marc Márquez, who had a good start from the front row for three races in a row, ran in 3rd place in the early stages, following Alex Rins (Suzuki) and Jorge Martin (Ducati).
After that, Rins and Martin got away, and Marc Márquez and Jack Miller (Ducati), who had been catching up, were in a fierce battle for 3rd place. Then, on the 6th lap, he was overtaken by a mirror and dropped to 4th place. After that, he continued to chase Miller fiercely, but suffered a painful crash on the 10th lap.
He has missed seven races this year due to injuries and dysfunction on his right arm. In addition, he struggled with the performance of the 2022 RC213V model, but in the 18th round, the Australian GP joined the fight for victory and stood on the podium in 2nd place. In qualifying, he took the pole position in the Japanese GP and won the front row five times in the season. Especially in the last round of the season, he collected a lot of data for the next season. Marc Márquez, who aims to recapture the title for the first time in four years next season, will start the new season in the official test at the Valencia circuit on the 8th without rest.
His teammate, Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), who made his last race for the Repsol Honda Team, fell from 21st on the grid to 19th in the first corner on lap 5 and retired after finishing. He got off to a good start this season with a 3rd place podium finish at the opening round of the Qatar Grand Prix, but after that continued to struggle with crashes and other issues, finishing 16th overall. Next season, he will take on a new challenge in a new world.
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda IDEMITSU), who returned after four races with an injured right hand, finished 14th. Score a point in the return game. In this tournament, he gradually increased his speed while checking the condition of his right little finger which underwent surgery. Although he qualified 21st, he was penalized for being relegated to the grid for blocking another driver’s path, so he started the race from 24th. He gradually improved his position and finished in 14th place.
Teammate Alex Marquez (LCR Honda CASTROL) moved up from 15th on the grid to 12th in the early stages, but crashed on lap 7. He restarted, but was one lap behind in 17th place. For Alex Marquez, this race will be his last race with LCR Honda Castrol, and his drive conveyed his passion to finish the race at any cost. Next season, he will transfer teams and take on new challenges.
LCR Honda IDEMITSU
“I’m very happy to finish in 14th place and score some points. I started from 24th place, so I was able to move up 10 places. I missed 3 races after the Japanese GP, so this is a great result. We made steady progress from the first day of running. The team did a great job. Thanks to all the team members. It’s a good way to end the season. Tomorrow I want to rest my body and prepare for the test ahead Day March. It will be a very important test for next season. I’m looking forward to a new start to next season.
Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol)
“It was a tough race. My engine overheated in the early stages of the race, and then I crashed. I’m happy that I was able to finish the race for the team. I’m very proud of this team. I want to say thank you to everyone on the team and thank you for spending the last two years with the team .”
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)
“Overall I’m happy because we showed that we have a good level, a good rhythm and a good feeling, but we knew we needed more speed. It didn’t work out. I said I told you yesterday that my aim was to be on the podium, but I didn’t have a good feeling from the start. I knew the podium was going away, but I didn’t give up and went very fast .Yes, but I also know what the problem is. I want to work hard this winter and be as prepared as possible. Work starts on Tuesday. I’m going to try Honda’s first steps in 2023. I’ m looking forward to
Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team)
“I wasn’t able to run the race as I had hoped today. I got quite stuck in the slipstream on the approach to the first corner. Toki collapsed. It’s a shame I wasn’t able to run the race as I had hoped. I would like to thank all the mechanics and staff who worked with me and have always supported me. I want to say thank you again. They have supported me in good times and bad. I really appreciate it. The journey is together over but we raced together in Repsol Honda colors that I will never forget
Category: F1 / MotoGP
