Marc Márquez finishes eleventh in Lusail and Joan Mir is fourteenth, as tyre choice proves decisive
The nineteenth and penultimate round of the season ended at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday, with 22 laps under the Qatari floodlights.
Marc Márquez had a consistent race, maintaining a good pace and fighting for the Top 10 at all times.
He had been running as high as fifth at one point but, after suffering some grip problems and crashing twice, he crossed the finish line eleventh, scoring five points.
On the other side of the box, Joan Mir made steady progress in a complicated race. The Repsol Honda team rider was able to gain positions, reaching the finish line fourteenth.
Mir earned two points after once again working with next season in mind.
This coming weekend, the 2023 MotoGP World Championship will come to an end in Cheste, with the Valencian GP.
MARC MÁRQUEZ – 11th
“I’m happy about our weekend, it was a solid one and we were able to have a few high points when we thought we would struggle more. We spent most of the race behind Martin, I don’t think either of us were feeling entirely comfortable to be honest. But we got some more points and now we prepare to head to Valencia for what is going to be a very busy and of course emotional weekend. Like always, our focus is at 100% to keep working and fighting until the very last lap.”
JOAN MIR – 14th
“Today was a positive day because we had the best sensations of the weekend and finally, we were able to put together a bit of a race. My pace at various points during the GP was the same as those fighting in the top five and we were able to make up some positions, so this is good to help rebuild my confidence after a tough Saturday. I had a stronger pace than I had during all of practice and even in the last laps I was close. The overtakes during the opening laps hurt us a little bit in those last two laps but it was a fun one.”
