Marc Marquez says he accepts fault in his coming together with Jorge Martin at the start of the 2021 British MotoGP at Silverstone, a clash that took both out of the race on the opening lap.
Starting fourth and fifth respectively, Martin and Marquez were already engaging in a physical joust for the edge when the six-time MotoGP World Champion swept across onto the racing line at the exit of Stowe, only to find it occupied by the Pramac Ducati.
When Martin ran wide at the next Club corner, Marquez attempted to capitalise with a wide entry that would swing him up and underneath the GP21. However, he misjudged the switchback and instead udnersteered into Martin, this time taking both out of the race.
Somewhat symptomatic of criticisms levelled at Marquez during the title-winning years, MotoGP rookie Martin wasn’t impressed by his esteemed countryman’s aggressive tactics, which ended a run of form that saw him score his maiden MotoGP win in Austria earlier in the month.
"Well, you can see the videos yourself. A bit disappointed about today, because I felt super strong for a podium," he said. "I was really on the inside and I felt this contact and… whatever. It's racing. Onto the next one."
"At the end, he came to say sorry, this is really good from his side, but at the end, he destroyed my race, and this is the main problem. He can destroy his own race, but not the others.
"And for sure he didn't measure in a good way, because he thought there was space and for sure there wasn't. But I hope he can learn from this one and improve for the future."
The latest drama in what is proving to be an eventful - and bruising - return to action for Marquez, his early exit in the UK was his fifth DNF in eight races and came just
"I want to apologise to Martin and his team because it was completely my fault. I was too optimistic on that overtake," said Marquez, whose Silverstone weekend began with a huge 270km/h Friday practice fall.
"It’s true it was strange situation because Quartararo and Martin went very wide and I expected Martin to be more out.
"I prepared the corner and put the bike straight because I didn’t have time to change to third gear, the calculation was not the correct one. It was completely my mistake. It was the first lap. I was too optimistic and I apologise to Martin.
"Races are sometimes like this and today I made a mistake."
