Marc Marquez refuses to blame 'unlucky' fire on Gresini Ducati team after Indonesian Grand Prix ends prematurely

Marc Marquez suffered an unfortunate mechanical problem with his G23 bike as the engine failed on lap 12. The eight-time world champion had looked like a potential threat to the top five at the Indonesian Grand Prix, but the incident means his championship hopes are all but over. However, Marquez refused to be drawn into a blame game and instead turned his attention to next weekend's Japan GP.

'It’s not in our hands' - Marquez rues 'unlucky' day after engine failure ends race

Video credit: TNT Sports

Marc Marquez refused to blame mechanical problems on his Gresini Ducati team after the engine of his GP23 bike blew mid-race at Mandalika.

The eight-time world champion's hopes of breaking into the top five in Sunday's Indonesian Grand Prix were dashed when he was forced to retire on lap 12.

"What a shame," the commentators exclaimed on TNT Sports' coverage.

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"You have to say that is the end of his championship," added Neil Hodgson, referring to the fact that Marquez now trails race winner and current leader Jorge Martin by 78 points in the riders' standings.

However, Marquez - who recently claimed back-to-back MotoGP wins in Aragon and San Marino respectively - was not prepared to get into the blame game.

"It’s something that happens in competition, in our sport, but it is not in our hands. Sometimes these mechanical things can happen," he said.

‘What a shame’ – Marquez forced to retire after bike goes up in flames

Video credit: TNT Sports

"With our team, we won a few races together and we lose together. It’s unlucky, of course, because we were looking for that consistency.

"The good thing is that we will have another race."

Having started the grid in 12th, Marquez was threatening the leading group when the unfortunate incident occurred.

"The pace we had, we were looking to fight for the podium or top five position, more realistic," he added.

"We were in a battle with [Fabio] Di Giannantonio. In the end he crashed [when in seventh] because he was braking super late with that soft rear tyre, but I was calm. I say, ‘we lose two seconds on three laps’. But then we restart and, in fact, I was catching the front group again.

"When I broke the engine on the last lap I was coming to my personal [best] lap because I say ‘okay, I will use the tyre for three laps to catch them’.

"But things happen and our mentality is now in Japan."

The Japan GP takes place next weekend, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.