Marc Marquez criticises Liberty Media as MotoGP riders face €5,000 fines
Marquez isn't happy with the latest rule change (Photo: Race Pictures)
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.
Marc Marquez is making his voice heard against MotoGP owner Liberty Media over an increase in rider responsibilities.
Marquez was already vocal before the Indonesian Grand Prix about the 2027 schedule, which sees a record 44 races and sprints combined, and a second qualifying session.
The nine-time champion said his career would be shorter as a result of the changes, and insisted that he hadn’t been consulted.
Things then dialled up on Saturday when an exhausted Marquez complained about having to stick around on the podium in his leathers after a sprint race victory.
The 33-year-old sat on the ground and doused himself with water, and then skipped part of the ceremony.
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Marquez questions Liberty Media's growing demands on riders
Explaining his actions, he said: “It’s inhumane to be there after a sprint, still in my racing suit… the podium, sure, great for the photo, but not for tomorrow’s performance.
“So I skipped the golf cart and went to change and freshen up. That’s just how it is.
“We are elite athletes, and just as a motorcycle needs the best performance to reach its full potential, a rider, an athlete, does the same. Everyone looks out for their own interests.”
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“It’s inhumane to be there after a sprint, still in my racing suit…"- Marc Marquez
Alex Marquez reveals €5,000 penalty for missing Hero Walk
However, that was just the beginning of the drama, as throughout the weekend it emerged that Liberty will begin punishing riders who do not attend promotional events.
Marquez’s younger brother Alex revealed that Liberty will now impose a €5000 [£4225] fine on riders who don’t use the full allotted time for the ‘Hero Walk’.
The paddock routine sees fans take photos and sign autographs with fans, but the time it takes has been extended.
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Marquez criticises post-race obligations after Indonesia Sprint
Giving his take on such an imposition, Marquez said: "As a rider, I'm the first to want MotoGP to grow and become bigger.
“But I believe we can find other ways to grow our sport without putting so much pressure on the riders. That's my feeling.
“We have so many things to do now, because there aren't just MotoGP activities, but also commitments with sponsors.
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"Ultimately, we're athletes. Next year the schedule will be even more intense. We're the first to want the championship to grow, but there are other ways to achieve that. We put on a show on the track, not off it.”
Marquez is unhappy with the dialling up of responsibilities (Credit: Apex Agency)
Marc was joined in his complaints by his brother and 2025 runner-up Alex.
The Gresini rider said: "It's quite complicated. If you skip the 'Hero Walk,' it's a €5,000 fine. I think they're pushing the riders a bit too far, with more and more races, more sprints, more of everything.
“We're already reaching the end, a little bit exhausted, and then come the races in the heat, which are very demanding. It's like they don't really care about the rider's perspective.
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“They should understand the rider's side a bit better because in races we've done 45 minutes at 190 beats per minute. And that's what they sometimes struggle to grasp."
Acosta raises concerns over injured riders' promotional duties
Adding to the dissent was KTM sensation Pedro Acosta, who cited Raul Fernandez having to do the ‘Hero Walk’ despite an injury.
He commented: "Regarding the fans, okay, I understand they're angry, I understand that sometimes you arrive, get on your bike, and leave.
“But if someone has crashed and has to choose between fans and recovering, they should go and recover. Because, let's take Raul as an example; he had something wrong with his hand. If, by chance, instead of a fracture, that guy suddenly breaks a finger while braking, let's see how he's going to stop a bike going 340 km/h."
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