MARQUEZ DEFENDS SKIPPING MOTEGI’S PRE-RACE KART EVENT

Marc Marquez skipped the Japanese MotoGP’s pre-race go-kart event, sending a stand-in in his gear and helmet to appear in his place. The decision drew attention because most of the grid took part, including title rivals Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi. Somkiat Chantra won the race, ahead of Pedro Acosta.

Marquez explained after the Grand Prix that he wanted to conserve his focus and energy for the championship fight. He won from second on the grid and collected the weekend’s full 37 points, cutting his deficit to Martin to two.

“There’s a bit of a fine line,” Marquez said, acknowledging the entertainment value of the event while questioning its timing. “Obviously I get the show, but we’re fighting for the championship, not for a bit of fun and go-karts doing laps.” He also said he was “fighting for the championship” and “wasn’t here to mess about.”

He said the substitute idea emerged after he asked for ice during warm-up. “One of the team members came out and said it’d be cool if a stunt double turned up,” he recalled. “It was a bit of a ‘hold my drink’ moment, and they caught on.” Marquez said he had received a “telling-off” for missing the event.

The choice has prompted debate about riders’ promotional responsibilities. One view is that the absence was understandable given the title stakes and was vindicated by Marquez’s victory. But Martin and Bezzecchi, also chasing the championship, still took part. The argument is that light-hearted events can help MotoGP reach new and younger audiences, particularly as the series seeks greater visibility. Marquez also missed MotoGP’s central-London press conference before the British Grand Prix, another promotional opportunity.

Marquez described his decision as selfish, but said he believed it was necessary. “I have to prioritise,” he said. “I’ve had a telling-off, but that’s the way it is. Right now we have to be selfish and perform at our best when it counts, which is in the races.” He has, however, spent 13 years at the top level and has taken part in other promotional activities, including the now-traditional season launch.

The kart event was part of MotoGP’s pre-race entertainment, following other promotional activities such as the tuktuk race in Buriram. Marquez’s absence reflected his view that, with the title contest so close, race performance had to take precedence over taking part in the spectacle.