Repsol Honda‘s Marc Marquez and Joan Mir, with the RC213V, both had strong races at the Thailand Grand Prix, despite starting from difficult positions on the grid. Marquez finished 6th, while Mir finished 12th, but both riders showed that they are capable of competing for the podium.
A Thrilling Thai Grand Prix
The Thai Grand Prix proved to be one of the most thrilling races of the MotoGP 2023 season, keeping fans and riders captivated throughout the 26-lap spectacle. The premier class delivered intense battles from the moment the lights went out until the checkered flag, with the Repsol Honda Team duo actively participating in the action, displaying their determination.
Marc Marquez’s Gritty Performance
Marquez started the race from eighth on the grid, but he quickly made his way up into the top ten. He was involved in several battles throughout the race, including a fierce battle with Francesco Bagnaia for sixth place. Marquez eventually finished seventh, but he was promoted to sixth place after Aleix Espargaro was penalized for a track limits violation.
Marquez’s performance in Thailand was a positive sign for the Repsol Honda Team. Marquez has been struggling to return to his best form since suffering a serious arm injury in 2020, but he has shown flashes of brilliance this season. His sixth-place finish in Thailand was his third podium finish of the season.
Joan Mir’s Remarkable Comeback
Mir started the race from 19th on the grid, but he quickly made his way up the field. He was into the points by the halfway point of the race, and he was challenging for a top ten finish in the closing laps. However, he eventually finished 12th due to tire wear.
Mir’s performance in Thailand was also a positive sign for the Repsol Honda Team. Mir has been one of the most consistent riders in MotoGP in recent years, and he is currently fourth in the championship standings. His 12th-place finish in Thailand was his first finish outside of the top ten this season.
Overall, the Repsol Honda Team had a positive weekend in Thailand. Both Marquez and Mir showed that they are capable of competing for the podium, and the team is now in a good position to challenge for the championship in 2024.
Official Statement
Marc Marquez (6th)
“It was a really exciting race, straight away from the start there were battles and everywhere I looked in the first laps there were bikes! I had good battles with Aleix, Pecco and later Fabio – they were all hard but really fun. I was fighting really hard at the start which meant the tyre dropped a bit at the end, but then when the others started to drop, I was able to recover more. Overall, the weekend was positive, we rebuilt some confidence after Mandalika and Australia so this is really positive. Now we have a week off after three busy and physical races before ending the season.”
Joan Mir (12th)
“A solid day today again, my pace was quite close to that of the top five throughout most of the race and we were able to gain some good positions early. Until the last five laps, when the tyre dropped because of the overtaking we did at the start, we were strong and we have to stay happy. I gave my 100% and we were able to make constant progress. Our position probably doesn’t reflect the effort that we made, but there is progress. Qualifying is the key point we need to focus on, the pace is there when it comes to the races.”