Marc Marquez plans earliest possible Qatar exit amid safety concerns
Marquez has broken his silence on Qatar (Credit: Apex Agency)
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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.
MotoGP’s eerie official press conference saw just one question about safety concerns, but it got a spectacular answer.
The series is in the Middle East for the Qatar Grand Prix, but reports of rider discontent have spilt out into the public.
Yamaha have pulled all four of their riders out of the event over safety concerns regarding the war in the region.
However, the other four manufacturers didn’t join them, despite dissent from the riders spilling out from closed-door meetings and into the media.
Like Yamaha, much of the press haven’t travelled for the event, leading to a very quiet Thursday press conference.
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Only one question was heard from the media, and it was put to Marc Marquez over whether he was 'worried' to be in Qatar.
Marc Marquez admits he would rather not be in Qatar
The Ducati rider gave a resounding response, saying: “I mean, I would like to be in another place.
“For that reason, I arrived on the latest flight possible, and I will leave on the earliest flight possible. But we are here, we are ready to race, and with full concentration.”
The press conference then came to an abrupt end with no more questions forthcoming.
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I arrived on the latest flight possible, and I will leave on the earliest flight possible.- Marc Marquez
Marquez had previously kept quiet on the Qatar race despite multiple leading reports claiming he was one of the leading voices against competing in Losail.
In fact, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi launched a strong defence of his rider's public silence while speaking at the Australian Grand Prix.
The Italian said: "As for Marc, he's simply the most charismatic person; so many riders who express opinions on the outside that are much, much more forceful than Marc's, then when it comes to a meeting in front of the organiser, they remain silent.
“And that's a bit like that; it's a waste of time. That said, then you blame Marquez for being the only one who carries the voice of all the other riders, who has the courage to speak out despite other riders who, as I say and repeat, say much worse things than him."
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Reliable reporting claims 19 of the 22 man grid have been against the Qatar Grand Prix, expressing their opposition to the organisers.
More recently, public dissent has emerged. Marquez's younger brother Alex has been very vocal, and was joined by Jack Miller and Maverick Vinales in expressing his opposition.
Marquez keeps his position on Qatar
Marquez stuck to his guns, though, keeping his silence last time out in Malaysia during Thursday's media duties.
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"We cannot say anything," he abruptly replied.
Explaining more in an interview with AS, he added: "When I can't say what I think, I don't want to talk.
“So, rather than express something that isn't true, I just stay silent.
"Since my injury, I've understood that life is one and the body is one, while there are many careers and moments.
“You can seek them out, create them, and enjoy them, but for me, life is always the priority."
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