After Honda introduced it could be parting ways with Marquez by mutual agreement on the finish of 2023 final week, Gresini confirmed on Thursday morning that it had signed the eight-time world champion.
Whereas it was a transfer rumoured for a while, Marquez revealed forward of the Indonesian Grand Prix that he solely made his determination final Tuesday.
In his first public media look because the main information broke that he could be ending his 11-year partnership with Honda, Marquez opened up on his decision-making course of.
“It’s true the primary a part of the season I used to be aggressive, however not in a great way,” he started when requested when he began to contemplate leaving Honda.
“I used to be taking a number of danger. And within the second half of the season I begin with a unique strategy and now I’m taking danger, however not in the identical method as the primary a part of the season.
“I had many accidents, it was tough. However if you end up injured, in a tough second you can’t take any selections.
“It’s what I realized up to now. Within the second a part of the season, we had some good talks with Honda, and race by race it was tremendous tough even my mentality was altering a bit – a number of doubts.
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Crew
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“However on the similar time, I had contact in that point with the Gresini workforce and I stated to them I cannot go ahead with any contract.
“’If you wish to look forward to me, look forward to me. However I can’t promise something’, as a result of my determination was final Tuesday after Japan GP.
“It’s what I say, going out of my consolation zone. The simplest method was keep in Honda: scenario underneath management, bike underneath management, my workforce is there, massive wage.
“So, that was the straightforward resolution. However then if I wish to deal with myself and my profession, I have to discover a new problem and the brand new problem and finest workforce was Gresini in 2024.”
Marquez refused to touch upon different rumours that circulated about his future previous to his Gresini determination, whereas explaining why he elected solely to pen a one-year contract.
“I imply, I by no means sit with anyone to speak in regards to the future and I cannot reply [about rumours] as a result of I’ve respect for all of the producers, groups, if it’s one or one other one,” he added.
“However for me the one possibility was a one-year contract.
“However I’ll clarify the rationale: as a result of if you end up in very tough occasions, even you may have some doubts in your self and I all the time say if you’re not having fun with it, there’s no which means to journey the bike as a result of if you’re not having fun with it, why keep right here?
“So, I made a decision to do this transfer, to a familial workforce, as a result of it’s what I really feel: to return again somewhat bit to the beginning, to the ambiance of a small workforce, familial workforce, to a motorbike that’s main the championship.
“It’s an enormous problem as a result of 11 years in the identical bike won’t be straightforward to vary. However I’m wanting solely to get pleasure from it, to smile once more and have the arrogance to return to the circuit.”