Only seventh place: Why Marquez was not faster in Silverstone

– The British Grand Prix at Silverstone once again showed Marc Marquez this weekend that even a world champion cannot always display his usual class on every track.

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After a disappointing ninth place in the sprint on Saturday, where tire wear massively set back the Ducati factory rider, Marquez could not get beyond seventh place in the Grand Prix race on Sunday. For the world champion, the result was sobering but still no reason to panic.

“It was a good, acceptable weekend,” Marquez sums up after the race. At the same time, he makes it clear that much more would have been possible. “We couldn’t race the best race that was possible. I fought in the last laps, but the bike worked well, the tire worked well. I just couldn’t find a way to be faster.”

So it was not due to an obvious technical problem or a dramatic drop in tire performance. Rather, the Ducati rider simply was not able to get the maximum out of the available package. Silverstone is generally not considered one of his strongest tracks. This was shown again in 2026.

In search of the right Ducati package

Already on Friday, Marquez was intensively working on the setup of his Ducati. Particularly noticeable was the use of the so-called “Spoon,” an aerodynamic component on the rear area of the machine, which he said he had not used on the swingarm for about two years.

“We are trying to understand what we need,” Marquez explained. Some motorcycles and manufacturers use the component, others do not. He himself tested it first in the first free practice, then rode again without it in the second practice.

The problem: with a new aerodynamic package, the balance of the motorcycle also changes. At this point, Marquez still saw open questions. “Normally, when you introduce an aerodynamic package, you also have to find a different balance on the bike. That’s exactly what we are still trying to understand.”

“It looks like the Ducatis go and work in different directions depending on the riding style. We have to find out which direction is best for us.”

MotoGP: British Grand Prix (Silverstone) 2026

The difficulties were by no means surprising for Marquez. Last year he had similar problems at Silverstone in similar places. “But I was able to make up for that in the direction changes or other places,” said the Spaniard. “This year I have difficulties at the same points, but at the places where I was strong last year, I am a bit slower.”

However, the Ducati rider initially did not want to let that unsettle him. “Let’s see if we can still manage and enjoy the weekend. The position doesn’t matter,” said the reigning MotoGP world champion on Friday.

Sprint becomes a tire test – race better, but …

In the sprint on Saturday, however, it became clear how difficult the situation really was. Marquez started from a promising position but could no longer keep up with the pace of the leaders early on. The massive tire degradation dropped him back to ninth place. The meager yield: one point.

Ducati generally could not show the strength at Silverstone that is usual for the Italian brand and was clearly inferior to the competition from Aprilia.

In retrospect, Marquez explains that the difference between sprint and Grand Prix was decisive. Because usually in the sprint, from start to finish, you attack practically at qualifying level: “In the sprint, you normally push from start to finish, like in a qualifying lap,” says the Spaniard. “This time, for some reason, that was not possible.”

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The situation looked better in the main race on Sunday. Marquez emphasizes: “Over the long race distance, we managed it in the usual way, as always.” It was crucial that the tire worked better for everyone.

“The good thing was that we didn’t have a massive drop. I managed the first laps well, and the degradation was not big. The tire was okay. Even in the last laps, you could still go very fast,” explains the current world champion. But it was still not enough to attack the top 5.

“The bike worked well, the tire worked well. I just couldn’t find a way to be faster.” Accordingly, the answer to the question of why he was behind several Ducati riders this weekend is open: “Myself.”

The real problem: Marc Marquez himself

When asked if this was related to his physical condition, Marquez remains vague: “That’s what I have, and I have to deal with it.” But he hints at what he needs to work on: “Now it was the first time that I could ride well in the time attack. But I still have to improve my endurance.”

The strain over a longer period still represents a different challenge for the Spaniard, especially at Silverstone. While a single fast lap was possible again, the ability to maintain this level over a complete race distance is not yet where Marquez wants it to be.

Despite the disappointing result, the Ducati rider does not want to acknowledge a critical situation. Does his current form worry him? “No.” Marquez emphasizes that his perspective strongly depends on the goal he sets for himself.

“My goal is to have fun on the bike,” he says. The fight for the title is still a goal, but he does not base his entire future on it.

“Yes, I want to become world champion. But if I don’t, it won’t change my future life,” he affirms. His fundamental motivation has not changed. “As I always say and also said here on Thursday: My ambition is the same. The way I approach a race weekend is the same. But I always stay realistic and don’t put pressure on myself.”

“I have fought enough in my career”

The nine-time world champion remains highly motivated but does not want to fight against his own physical limits at any cost: “I have fought enough in my career. I will fight when I feel good.”

That sounds unusually restrained at first given his ambition. However, it fits his assessment of the Silverstone weekend: Marquez saw no reason to make a bigger crisis out of a difficult Grand Prix.

Even before the race, he was aware that Silverstone would be a difficult track for him. “I knew this could be one of the tracks where I would struggle,” he says in retrospect. “And yes, I am always optimistic and try to see the whole thing positively. In the end, we finished seventh. It is what it is. Tomorrow is Monday and life goes on.”

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