Spanish MotoGP rider and points leader Marc Marquez inspects the course with his younger brother and Moto 3 rider Alex (right) ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi, northern Japan, yesterday. (EPA)
Marc Marquez can retain his MotoGP title in Japan this weekend but safety fears loom large as another typhoon approaches, days after a horror crash left a Formula One driver fighting for his life.
With Jules Bianchi battling severe head injuries after losing control in treacherous conditions at Suzuka, sympathy for the Frenchman and worries over another accident will overhang Sunday’s two-wheel race.
Super Typhoon Vongfong might bring some rain before its scheduled impact on Monday, while last week’s situation at the Formula One race remains fresh.
And with Suzuka organisers under fire for refusing to start earlier and avoid the worst of the weather, Motegi officials are likely to be under close scrutiny.
Despite the difficulties, championship leader Marquez will hope to end the weekend in triumph by sealing an astonishing campaign at Motegi’s Twin Ring circuit.
“Of course, it is very difficult when you see a situation like that,” said Marquez of the Formula One crash.
“It is not MotoGP. But it is another driver,” he said. “Just hope the best for Jules for his family.”
He said riders realised the risks involved in motor racing, but also called for a thorough probe into what happened at Suzuka.
Former world champions Valentino Rossi, who himself suffered a heavy fall in Aragon, also voiced concerns as he knew both Bianchi and the Suzuka, which he said is dangerous but one of the best tracks in the world.
“He is a good guy with a lot of talent. I like Suzuka, but it is dangerous,” Rossi said.
Going into the Japanese Grand Prix, Marquez has a commanding 75-point lead over closest rival and Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa with only three races remaining after Japan.
Even if Marquez fails to win, the Spaniard could still seal the title, depending on the placement of his key rivals. Marquez refused to get ahead of himself, despite dominating this year, saying he was focused on regaining his top form at Honda’s home circuit after a minor crash at rain-hit Aragon two weeks ago, when he finished 13th.
“I will try to focus, like a normal race, try to push like always, try to be faster and try to fight for the top position,” said Marquez. “Of course, for Honda, it will be nice to win here,” he added.
The 21-year-old became the youngest ever MotoGP world champion last year and the first rookie title winner for 35 years.
In an electrifying series of successes, Marquez won 10 straight races this season since the opener in Qatar, before coming in fourth in the Czech Republic in August.
He quickly returned to the top of the podium two weeks later in Britain but crashes in San Marino showed that he was still human.
Pedrosa has regularly enjoyed podium finishes at the demanding Motegi layout, while the Honda rider will face pressure from Yamaha rivals and former world champions Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, last year’s winner at Motegi.
Rossi said he has fully recovered from a heavy fall in Aragon that sent him to hospital, and was gunning for the season’s second place.
“I feel very well and I look forward to the triple-header overseas races because I am feeling better and better on the bike and the team are working really well,” said Rossi, seven-time world champion.
“The fight for second place is getting interesting, we will try to achieve the best result possible.”
