The Repsol rider, physically diminished, did only three laps in the qualifying session, where he set the minimum time to classify in thirty-sixth place for tomorrow’s starting grid
Dosing his physical condition to the max, Marc Márquez only did three laps in the second day of practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix. The negligence of the Sepang Circuit’s marshals, that yesterday cost him a bloodcurdling crash, which did not prevent the Repsol rider from classifying for tomorrow’s race. Despite the discomfort he still feels in the cervical area and in the left shoulder, Márquez only did one complete lap under the minimum time required by the organizers and will be able to be tomorrow in the starting grid.
It will be after two practice days where he was only able to do three complete laps to Sepang track, trying to rest and recover from the heavy blow he suffered in his first lap during yesterday’s practice session. Márquez did not finish the first session, went to rest to the hotel during yesterday’s second session and neither did he take part in this morning’s third practice session.
In the qualifying session, the Repsol rider put on his overalls and, after a warm-up lap, did his only complete lap of the weekend before returning to his box and conclude the practice. Márquez only did one fast lap in which he stopped the clock in 2 minutes, 12 seconds and 864 thousandths, securing the thirty-sixth position in tomorrow’s grid. Now he should rest and evaluate tomorrow whether his physical conditions allow him to face the demanding Sepang race.
Emilio Alzamora >> Audio
“It was a difficult day because we expected Marc [Márquez] to feel better this morning, but he was not. The lack of time between the crash and the practice did not leave enough margin to recover and he still feels discomfort in the neck. We thought today he might feel more comfortable on the bike and decided that he should go out directly to the qualifying, to see how he felt and then evaluate the situation. We knew that if he could do a fast lap and classify for the grid, we could see today and tonight if he feels better. It was a hard crash, but nothing serious, so it’s simply that he needs time to recover. We will wait until tomorrow morning to make a decision”.
