Marc Marquez says “everything was wrong” in qualifying for MotoGP’s Malaysian Grand Prix, and fears a repeat on Sunday will stop him from fighting for the win.
Marquez leads the championship by 33 points from Andrea Dovizioso with two rounds remaining but will only start seventh, the second-worst grid slot of his MotoGP career, at Sepang.
After topping final practice, Marquez crashed at the final turn of his first flying lap in qualifying and had to change to his second Honda.
“Of course it [Sepang] is not one of the best tracks but it is true also that today everything was wrong,” said Marquez.
“We went right, it was not the correct direction. Then we went left, but was too late.
“So everything was difficult, going the opposite way.
“In FP4 I started to feel again the [better] feeling with the bike, but the thing is when I went out in Q2, I went out with that bike, I crashed.
“Then I think with the other bike the feeling was not the same.
“Also I did a not do a good lap, and for that reason we are seventh.”
Marquez can clinch the title with a win or second place this weekend.
He admitted his pole-sitting Dani Pedrosa and title rival Dovizioso, who will start third, have better pace than him as things stand.
“Honestly speaking we don’t have the rhythm to win the race at the moment, but we have the rhythm I think to fight for the podium,” said Marquez.
“What makes it difficult? Maybe the hot conditions, maybe it’s because you need to ride very smooth and I’m an aggressive rider.
“I try to concentrate to be smoother but it’s quite difficult.
“Also the speed of our bike on the straight is not the best one.
“You can say Dani has the same bike but Dani in some circuits have some difficulties, he is struggling much more than me.
“For example at this circuit, for his riding style, his weight on the straight, he is able to be very fast every year.
“I will try to learn from him because he is riding very well.”