Marc Marquez, an eight-time MotoGP world champion with 70 career wins, continues to chase a victory that has so far eluded him at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Despite his many successes, the Red Bull Ring has proven to be a stubborn challenge, as Marquez has finished second seven times without ever crossing the finish line first at this track. This ongoing struggle adds a tense layer to his 2024 MotoGP season, where the quest for a
“Marc Marquez Red Bull Ring Victory”
intensifies.
The History of Close Calls at the Austrian Circuit
Marquez’s near-misses at the Red Bull Ring have been frustratingly close. In 2017, he came within 0.176 seconds of beating Andrea Dovizioso. The following year, Jorge Lorenzo narrowly overtook him by just 0.130 seconds. Again in 2019, Dovizioso denied him victory by 0.213 seconds. Each time, these tight losses came at the hands of Ducati riders while Marquez was racing for Honda, reinforcing the circuit’s reputation as his tough battleground.
Riding a New Wave with Ducati and a Strong Start to the Season
This season marks a new era for Marquez as he races for the Ducati factory team, a move that has brought impressive results so far. He has dominated eight of the first twelve races, including ten consecutive wins counting Sprint races. The Red Bull Ring’s characteristics, like hard braking zones and strong acceleration areas, are well-suited to the Ducati Desmosedici, raising hopes that Marquez might finally conquer the track that has long challenged him.
I can’t wait to get back on track after the holidays: I’ve taken a break and rested,
Marquez said, reflecting his eagerness to continue the season. He holds a commanding 120-point lead over his brother Alex Marquez, who rides for Gresini Racing.
The Austrian track has never given me great satisfaction, but it has provided plenty of duels right down to the last corner, the last meter before the checkered flag. I’m ready to tackle this second part of the season in the best possible way.
Ducati’s Dominance at the Red Bull Ring Since 2016
Since its return to the MotoGP calendar in 2016, the Red Bull Ring has largely been a domain controlled by Ducati. The Italian manufacturer has won all but two races at this circuit. The exceptional exceptions were Miguel Oliveira’s victory in the restarted 2020 Styrian GP and Brad Binder’s surprise wet-weather win in 2021 riding slick tires. These rare breaks in Ducati’s reign highlight the challenge posed by the circuit’s unique demands but also underline Ducati’s strength overall.
Teammate Francesco Bagnaia’s Success and Current Challenges
Francesco Bagnaia, Marquez’s Ducati teammate, arrives at Austria on the back of an impressive five-win streak at the Red Bull Ring, confirming Ducati’s superior performance there. However, Bagnaia faces difficulties this season with braking stability and corner entry struggles on his GP25 bike.
This track has always been very favourable to Ducati and in the last three seasons we’ve achieved the best possible results,
Bagnaia stated as he looks forward to continuing his success.
I’m happy to get back on track here and restart this second part of the season. Many of my favourite tracks await us: technical, yet spectacular! I can’t wait to get out on track.
The High-Stakes Race Ahead at Austria
As the MotoGP season advances to the Red Bull Ring, Marc Marquez faces not only the challenge of the circuit itself but also the pressure of solidifying his dominance this year. The stage is set for an intense showdown, as the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. For Marquez, breaking his Red Bull Ring curse would be a historic milestone, adding a crucial piece to his extraordinary career.
This upcoming race will test whether Marquez’s recent form and the Ducati’s capabilities converge perfectly to overcome the close defeats that have marked his past visits to this track. Fans and commentators alike will watch closely as Marquez aims to translate his season’s momentum into a breakthrough victory at the Red Bull Ring.
