Marquez Admits Slower in Corners That Used to Be His Strength at Silverstone

Marc Marquez has admitted he is now slower in corners that used to be his strength at Silverstone, as physical limitations continue to hamper his performance at the 2026 British Grand Prix.

The factory Ducati rider could only manage seventh in Friday's Practice, more than seven tenths of a second behind pacesetter Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia). More worryingly, he trailed Fabio di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) by over three tenths, while his brother Alex Marquez also looked quick despite ending up narrowly behind him on the timesheets.

Marquez explained that his aggressive riding style leaves him exposed at fast, flowing circuits like Silverstone. While in previous years he could compensate by capitalizing on his strengths, his shoulder injury no longer allows him to do so in 2026.

Read AlsoBagnaia: Ducati Factory Team Was Slowest in Silverstone Sprint

“I learned that in some points he's super fast, and when I tried to copy and follow him, it was even worse because I over-rode and I was losing even more,” Marquez said, referring to his attempts to shadow Alex. “So, it's the character of the rider. At 33 years old, I can adapt a bit, but my riding style is my riding style. With my riding style, since 2013, I'm strong in the same circuit and I'm strong in the same one. So in those flowing corners is where I'm struggling.”

“Last year, I was struggling at the same points [at Silverstone] as this year, but I was able to recover in the change direction or something. This year, no. This year, I'm struggling in the same points, but in the points where I was strong last year, I'm a bit slower because we know the reason [shoulder injury]. Let's see if we can manage and try to enjoy the weekend. It doesn't matter the position,” he added.

In his chase for a 10th world title, Marquez has devised a strategy of pouncing on tracks he is traditionally strong at, while limiting damage at venues like Assen. However, he admitted that breaking into the top five at Silverstone will be a tough task. “Yesterday, we were talking about how flowing corners are the strongest point of the bike for Aprilia, especially like Assen or here. But we are working in a good way, trying to find the best. At the moment, [Ducati] are far from the podium, but closer to the top 5 - but I'm not inside the top 5. So we need to work to try to be in that top 5,” he said.

Marquez stressed that both Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez have the edge on him, but neither is in a position to challenge Aprilia for the top spot. “Alex and Diggia, they are fast. They are super fast, but Aprilia is a bit faster or a bit more consistent. So, let's see. Of course, the bikes have strong points and weak points. We already understand during all this season that Aprilia, where there are flowing corners, they are faster than us, and in stop and go corners, we are faster than them. But as we saw today, we are not the fastest Ducati, so we will try to work,” he concluded.