MARQUEZ SAYS TEAM ORDERS ARE UNNECESSARY WHEN A RIDER HAS THE PACE

Marc Marquez has played down the prospect of Ducati using team orders as the MotoGP title battle tightens, saying a rider with enough pace should not need help from the garage. The seven-time world champion arrives at Phillip Island’s Australian Grand Prix two points behind Aprilia’s Jorge Martin.

Discussion of team orders has grown since the Indonesian Grand Prix, where Marquez also appeared to play a psychological game with Martin. During qualifying, he followed the Aprilia rider out of the pits, a move Motorsport.com reported was intended to make Martin nervous. Martin nevertheless qualified ahead of Marquez.

Asked about team orders at Phillip Island, Marquez stressed his commitment to Ducati and its staff. “I will always say that we are a team,” he said. “And I’m with Ducati, with my team, with my staff, and trying to do our maximum.” His view on instructions between team-mates was straightforward: “If you have the speed, you don’t need team orders. If you don’t have the speed, then you need it.”