Álex Márquez finished the long race of the Qatar GP in seventh place and admitted that he needs to do better in qualifying or else he will suffer more in the races starting further back. That is indeed his focus for the Portuguese GP, where if he can achieve it, he may have a ‘completely different’ race.
The Gresini Racing rider spoke about the first round of the year and especially about his Sunday: ‘It was a solid start to the season, we are where we finished [last year], within the top seven, close to the top five and the podium. It was a long race, trying to manage the front and rear tires and it wasn’t easy. I tried to attack early, stay within the group, it was important to try to be there and do laps with that group’.
With a tough race and more unexpected events, A. Márquez emphasized the need to be in a better position at the Portuguese GP, especially in qualifying:
– Later we had problems with the temperature of the front tire, and very high pressure and it was difficult to manage and get close to the guys because it was difficult to be there [with them] but starting from ninth is what you have. We have to improve a bit and pay more attention in qualifying in Portimão and not make the same mistakes I made here, and be in the first two rows, then later if you are there the race is completely different.
