LORENZO SAW MARQUEZ LOOK NERVOUS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON

Jorge Lorenzo says the Austrian Grand Prix was the first time this season he had seen Marc Marquez look nervous. The reigning world champion finished fifth at the Red Bull Ring, more than seven seconds behind race winner Pedro Acosta, while every one of his title rivals finished ahead. Jorge Martin, who had been level with Marquez before the weekend, left with a 12-point lead in the standings.

The result was striking at a circuit where Ducati has traditionally been strong. Since the Red Bull Ring returned to the calendar in 2016, Ducati riders had won nine of the previous 10 races there, and Marquez himself took victory for the manufacturer last year. This time, Acosta secured his first premier-class Grand Prix win on the KTM RC16, with no rival crashing or otherwise dropping out to clear his path.

Speaking on the Duralavita podcast, Lorenzo stressed that the leading riders all made it to the finish. “None of them faltered, none of them crashed; they all finished,” he said. But he noted that Marquez appeared to struggle more than usual. “It was the only time all year I saw Marc looking a bit nervous, making a few mistakes.”

Lorenzo wondered whether technical trouble contributed, pointing to reports that Marquez’s brakes were not working properly. He also observed that the Ducati rider was running wide at several corners. Even so, Acosta beat the full field on merit, Lorenzo said.

The Austrian weekend also came amid Marquez’s admission that he expects Acosta to be capable of beating him when they are factory Ducati teammates next year. Marquez has built a reputation for refusing to yield to teammates, making the acknowledgement notable. Acosta’s breakthrough victory and Marquez’s difficult race have added fresh intrigue to their anticipated partnership.