Marc Marquez's brother offers title help but Ducati reject team orders
Alex may not be able to help Marc (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Alex Marquez has hinted at helping his brother Marc win his tenth world title, even if Ducati themselves aren’t interested.
Team orders have become a huge topic in recent weeks, with the MotoGP world title now between Ducati’s Marc Marquez and Aprilia pair Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
Aprilia faced some friendly fire at the Indonesian Grand Prix last time out when Bezzecchi crashed into satellite Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez, taking them both out of the race.
In Sunday’s Grand Prix, Bezzecchi then won, but teammate and championship leader Martin was in third.
Between them was Fernandez, provoking some questions over whether Aprilia should have switched the order.
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Aprilia have given mixed messages on team orders, with CEO Massimo Rivola saying they would only come into effect once a rider was mathematically out of the title race.
Technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini suggested things could happen sooner, and Alex Marquez was well aware of those conversations.
Alex Marquez opens door to helping brother Marc
The Gresini rider is also powered by Ducati like his brother, and suggested a change of tack in response to Aprilia.
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He told AS: "It's clear that at Aprilia they have it pretty clear; they want the title, and they're talking to everyone, so it will be Ducati's time, but I think it's a little too soon.
"I think there's still time, and we have to focus on our races. Then, when we're out there battling it out every Sunday, we'll have to assess everything.”
Alex finished second to brother Marc in last season’s MotoGP championship, but this year he’s well out of the picture in eighth, 183 points behind leader Martin.
He will also leave Ducati for KTM next season, but it’s not unusual for riders using machinery from the same manufacturer to help out fellow team members.
Yet, speaking after Alex Marquez in Indonesia, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi rejected any offers of brotherly love.
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The brothers were title rivals last year, but things have since changed (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Ducati reject team orders despite Aprilia title threat
Asked about team orders, he commented: "No, we have never done it.
“If they intend to do it, that's fair enough; it's their decision. Ducati hasn't done this in the past, but everyone chooses their own strategies.
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“In the past, we have shown fair play towards our satellite teams, so we believe sport must come before business. But they have every right and freedom to do what they want.”
Alex’s comments also present a contrast to when he was last asked about helping his brother in August.
Alex Marquez's stance shifts as championship battle develops
He responded: "I'm going to do my World Championship. It's too soon.
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“If I have the opportunity to win, of course I'm going to try, whether it's Marc, Martin, Bezzecchi, or whoever else is in front of me fighting for a title, I have to do my own race."
The picture has now changed, and we’ll have to wait and see who pulls the trigger first.
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