‘He did nothing wrong’ - Takaaki Nakagami insists Honda team-mate Marc Marquez was not at fault for latest crash
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Published 19/06/2023 at 10:28 GMT+1
Marc Marquez was forced to drop out of Sunday’s German MotoGP after fracturing his finger during the warm-up following a fifth crash over the weekend. His Honda team-mate, Takaaki Nakagami, doesn’t believe Marquez was at fault for the latest costly incident. “I was behind him. I couldn’t see anything wrong with his riding,” Nakagami explained.
HOHENSTEIN-ERNSTTHAL, GERMANY - JUNE 16: Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team looks on during Free Practice at Sachsenring Circuit on June 16, 2023 in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. (Photo by Mark Wieland/Getty Images)
Image credit: Eurosport
Marc Marquez “wasn’t ready” to compete in Sunday's German MotoGP after fracturing his finger following a crash in the warm-up.
Although he was passed fit to race, Marquez dropped out, suggesting the bike was causing him too much physical stress.
His Honda team-mate Takaaki Nakagami, however, didn’t believe Marquez was at fault for the Spaniard's latest costly incident.
“Honestly, before he had the crash I was behind him,” Nakagami said, as he analysed the moment Marquez came off his bike. “I couldn’t see anything wrong with his riding.
“The speed was good. I didn’t see, from behind, that he did anything wrong. But he lost the rear. The bike doesn’t stop that spin. I saw a massive high-side.
“I was scared because we use the same bike. I had the same feeling that the corner was really tricky.
“It’s going downhill and I was losing it, a couple of times, having the same feeling.
“It was difficult to manage. The bike had less grip. We need to find a solution for a safer bike.”
Nakagami, the only Honda rider that featured, finished the race in 14th place.
The other three riders, Joan Mir, Alex Rins and Marquez, are all nursing broken bones in an indication that the bike is causing them to take too much risk.
Nakagami was also involved in a crash on Friday where he hurt a previously damaged hand but came away without any major damage.
“It cannot be worse,” Nakagami said about the Japanese manufacturer’s current state in MotoGP. “We are normally four riders, four bikes. But today I was the only one on track for Honda.
“I wish them a speedy recovery to be strong. As you can see, it is a really, really tough moment. At least I feel OK. It’s difficult but I’ll try to not give up.
“I believe HRC have ideas to improve, to change, the bike or to be more competitive. I don’t want to fight for a point, or to fight for 15th.
“All I can do is keep pushing, and not take any big risks.”
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