Marc Marquez faces pressure as MotoGP returns to Brazil for first race since 1989

As things stand, the Ducati rider sits in eight place in the overall championship standings after the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram. Last year, Marquez led the championship from the very opening round and dominated the season to the extent that he was able to clinch the title in Japan with five rounds still to go.

The opening round was a difficult one for Ducati in general, with team boss Davide Tardozzi describing the weekend as being 'a slap in the face' after none of their riders finished inside the top five for the first time in over 80 races.

Now, the seven-time MotoGP champion will want to avoid having to play catch-up as the season goes on. The Thai Grand Prix, with its unique track conditions and mandatory harder tyre casings, might not have been an accurate measure of Ducati's potential for the year, but it was certainly an early warning sign that Aprilia are here to compete.

With the Brazilian Grand Prix set to take place this weekend, Marquez will be competing on a level playing field with his rivals, since the circuit is an unknown to all the riders on the grid.

Returning to the track for the first time since 1989, the new era of machines are sure to perform very differently compared to those of old. The track is one of the shortest on the calendar and contains several technical corners which could catch Ducati out.

The long start-finish straight will be an area where the 'Bologna Bullets' will hope to capitalize on their strengths, and the additional factor of rain could play a major role in the course of the weekend.