Álex Márquez finished the long race of the Qatar GP in seventh place and admitted that he has to do better in qualifying, otherwise he’ll suffer more in the races when he’s further behind. That’s what he’s focussing on for the Portuguese GP, which, if he succeeds, could be a ‘completely different’ race.
The Gresini Racing rider spoke about the first round of the year and above all about his Sunday: ‘It’s been a solid start to the season, we’re where we finished [last year], inside the top seven, close to the top five and the podium. It was a long race, trying to manage the front and rear tyres and it wasn’t easy. I tried to attack at the start, to be inside the group, it was important to try to be there and do laps with that group’.
With no easy life and more unforeseen events, A. Márquez emphasised the need to be on top form at the Portuguese GP, especially in qualifying:
– Later on we had problems with the temperature of the front tyre, and very high pressure and it was difficult to manage that and get close to the guys because it was difficult to be there [with them] but starting ninth that’s 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 on the first two rows, then later if you’re there the race is completely different.