Professional racers are aggressive, by nature, and this may be a necessary trait for success. But Marc Marquez, in my opinion, is something beyond aggressive. Something detrimental to the sport and damaging to his motorcycle sponsor, Honda. He is too often reckless, and in conscious disregard for the safety of himself and other riders on the track with him. This opinion is based on closely observing his career for more than a decade. This opinion is also based on some of the other professional racers who have competed with him and called him, at times, “dangerous” and “out of control”.
Sporting success generally helps a motorcycle manufacturer. The saying is “Win on Sunday. Sell on Monday.” But winning at all costs … winning with a rider who behaves like an “asshole” and a “bastard” on the race track does not benefit the Honda brand.
Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia and Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo have reputations as “clean riders.” These guys are fast and can win races and championships while embracing sportsmanship and respect for their fellow competitors. Perhaps they need to be a little bit faster than the purely selfish riders to achieve this success. But they have embraced this level of sportsmanship, nonetheless. They do their motorcycle sponsors proud.
Is it irony? Hyprocracy? Honda spent many years promoting its brand by proclaiming “You meet the nicest people on a Honda.” Now, of course, the rider Honda seems most proud of is Marc Marquez.
Apparently, I’m not the only observer who has tired of the reckless, selfish behavior of Marquez. Here is a quote from Keith Huewen on Crash.net:
“But Marc Marquez is ruthless. He will do whatever it takes to get himself where he needs to be. That’s what’s slightly scary about Marc. And that’s what keeps everybody on edge around him.
Marc knows the Honda isn’t the best bike at the moment and he’s shown no shame when it comes to doing things that people might say is ungentlemanly, like being dragged around [by a tow] in qualifying.
The incident with Oliveira was 100% a penalty. He was already out of control on the opening lap.”
After acknowledging fault in the Oliveira crash last weekend, and “accepting” a penalty (two long laps in the next race) that many felt was insufficient punishment, Honda is now appealing a clarification of that penalty by the race stewards. The wording of the original penalty specified that it would apply at the Argentina round next weekend, but was clarified as follows:
“Considering the injury and non-participation of Marc Marquez, at the Gran Premio Michelin de la Republica Argentina, and with a view to comply with the intention underlying the decision by the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel, the Double Long Lap Penalty shall be served by the Rider at the next MotoGP Race in which he will be able to participate.”
If Honda’s appeal is successful, Marquez, thanks to his self-inflicted wound, will receive no penalty whatsoever. Miguel Oliveira, on the other hand, who was the innocent target of the Marquez torpedo at Portimao, has already been punished with an undeserved injury and will sit out, at the very least, the next round in Argentina.
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