Marc Marquez’s first impressions of the Goiania circuit are overwhelmingly positive as MotoGP returns after 37 years. The layout hasn’t changed much since the event won by Kevin Schwantz in 1989.
Concerns were raised before the race, particularly about the weather. After the paddock access tunnel and at least two corners were flooded; A MotoGP team manager called the situation ‘worrisome’.
Organizers of the Brazilian Grand Prix are also facing security questions.Especially because of the relative lack of drainage in the extremely fast cornering area. But Marquez was sober after seeing the track up close for the first time.
Marc Marquez’s first reaction to the Brazilian Grand Prix track
Warm, dry conditions greeted the riders for media day Thursday, although they braced for more rain during the race weekend. All three days are likely to be affected, although the risk is lower for Sunday.
While Marquez He’s not expecting the kind of grip he likes on traditional European circuits, he’s sure the track will feel ‘absolutely normal’ once the bikes clean up. Both practice sessions were extended by 15 minutes to allow for additional acclimatization time.
What is your podium prediction for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
Lap times were estimated around the 1:15 mark, much quicker than usual. That should help the riders feel comfortable ahead of Sunday’s 31-lap race – the longest since 2013 by that measure.
“The track looks beautiful, it looks good,” said Marquez, via As. “It’s true that maybe the main problem over the weekend is those storms.
“There may be some problems. But well, they will come. For now it’s sunny, the weather is good, and here we have to adapt to the track as soon as possible to prepare everything.
“This does not worry me because it is the same as when we first arrived in Indonesia or Argentina. These are new asphalts, so the exterior will not be like Europe or the circuits that have spent more years in the World Championship.
But because it’s a short circuit and the practice session is longer, I’m sure it will gradually clear up with all the rounds we can do here and by the end of the weekend the grip will be perfectly normal.
‘I’m in better shape than I was in Thailand’ – Marc Marquez’s fitness update
Márquez is looking to win his 23rd separate MotoGP circuit, equaling Valentino Rossi and just one shy of Mick Doohan’s record. Past success in Austin (2013), Termas de Rio Hondo (2014), Buriram (2018) and Balaton Park (2025) is good, though he says the ‘recklessness’ of youth has helped him.
Even in Ducati there are some fears. The Brazilian GP circuit does not agree with Marquez.. The first four rounds are all right hands, a weak spot for the Spaniard since his arm has been worked up.
Michelin are bringing their solid rear tire grips. To the race and, as Thailand has shown, this can be a problem for Ducati. But the positive news is that Marquez’s physical condition is improving; The last time it was clear that he was not completely healthy.
“Getting to a new circuit has been one of my strengths, given my riding style,” he says throughout my career. “It’s true that when I was 20, I was stronger than I am now because of the carelessness of a young rider.
But we will try to manage as much as we can, but I feel it will be a weekend where Aprilia, Acosta and a lot of Ducatis will be at the forefront.
“I would have preferred that sequence of long corners to be left-handed, but oh well, we have to start adapting and learning the lines, especially because of these long right-hand corners, it will be a very demanding circuit from the rear wheel perspective.
“That’s why Michelin brought wallets from Thailand and Austria, which are very hard cases. We try to adapt as much as possible, and physically I’m in better shape than I was in Thailand.”
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