Marc Marquez remarkably claims that KTM will become MotoGP’s No1 manufacturer
And remarkably he made th🌊is eye-opening statement while sat alongs𝕴ide KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer.
The Repsol Honda star rider has been linked with a move to KTM, who he sha💎res Red Bull with ♌as an influential sponsor.
"When KTM s🌺tarted they were last on the grid,” Marquez said on a Servus TV show, sat next to Beirer.
“Little by little, they have been getting closer.
“Now they are the second best constructor in the championship, but very soon, more t❀han people might think, they will be first.
"In competition, the key is ambition. If you have ambition you will get there.&nbs🐈p;
“KTM is making very go🐷od additions at the level ofꦑ engineers and also pilots.”
This TV show was broadcast ahead of this weeꦺkend’s Austrian MotoGP, the home race for KTM ꦿwho are enjoying a productive year.
Their ambition extends to increasing ܫtheir four bikes on the grid.
They admit to trying to recruit Marquez but thᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚey will have to wa🅷it until 2025, when his Honda contract expires.
"It's a compliment to us to be associated with Marc and to h🤪ear him say words like the ones he just said,” Beirer ꦕsaid.
“He's the most successful🍒 rider we have wit♏h 59 wins.
"Unfortunately𒀰♈, I'm afraid that Marc will not be in our line-up next year because he has a contract.
“We d💯iscussed it and he gave us a clear answer and that's it.
"That doesn't change the fact thaওt we wish him all the luck in the world to get back to🎐 the top positions as soon as possible.”
These words are sure to fan the flames of rumours around M♎arquez’s future.
This week𝕴end in Aust💞ria he is just hoping to complete a grand prix for the first time in 2023.
"I thought that in ꧟Germany I could fightജ again for a place on the podium,” he said.
“I arrived at the grand prix and I had a lot of problems with the bike, I couldn't find the rhythm.&nbs⛦p;
“I crashed often during the three days. In the warm u🦋p I broke my knees, ribs, ankle and a finger. I was mentally destroyed.
"During the holiday break I had to say to myself: 'I have to accept that it's not possi🌜ble at the moment'.&nb🐻sp;
“We have to impro💝ve the bike, I have to improve myself, the team too. W𓃲e want to come back and fight for victory again.
"It's very difficult to accept that. I really decided not to take any ris෴ks at Silverstone, my mentality has changed a bit.
“I was injured in Portugal💝, Germany and Holland this year, 𝓰I also injured my groin.
"I need a differ🌠ent style if I want to continue compe🍌ting for a few more years.
“Now we have to find a ꦜbase again at Ho✱nda on which we can develop further.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky S🐼ports for a decade covering everythi🧸ng from American sports, to football, to F1.
