MotoGP Valencia Test: Honda ‘need big step to fight for title’ - Marquez

Former MotoGP king Marc Marquez has expressed serious disappointment with the 2023 Honda RC213V and says he is ‘expecting a big step’ at the February Sepang test.

Marquez couldn’t find much improvement over the 2022 bike after 50 laps of Valencia, ending six-tenths slower than fastest man Luca Marini in the Mooney Ducati.

The Spaniard believe that something will have to be done if he is to fight for the title next season.

“We tried a proto-bike with new aerodynamics and the same engine with a small modification, a different chassis. That’s it,” said Marquez, speaking at the track.

“There is not a big difference. A bit. But we lose it in a different area, it’s a compromise. In the end, the performance was very similar.

“Of course I expected more but it isn’t there. The important thing is that Honda is working. I expect a big step in February at the next test.

“I expected more because always you want more and more. I cannot say that I’m disappointed because Honda are working, they are trying.”

“But we need more if we want to fight for the championship. Or we will not fight for the championship.

“We improve one area, we lose in another one. More or less the same problems.

“We have to work this winter if we want to fight for the title. You don’t have to take one step, you have to take two.”