Marc Marquez showed signs of difficulty managing his braking in the practice sessions at the 2026 Thailand Grand Prix held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram. The Ducati rider, continuing his title defence this season, encountered issues particularly in the braking phase on Friday, which affected his overall pace.
Throughout much of the timed practice, Marquez struggled to find speed on his Desmosedici GP26, yet he managed to improve late in the session. His final lap, a 1:28.947, placed him second quickest, just behind Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia, who set the leading time at the venue. Marquez’s late performance helped him avoid the pressure of starting in Q1 during Saturday’s qualifying rounds.
Pol Espargaro Observes Repeated Mistakes in Marquez’s Practice Laps
Pol Espargaro closely monitored Marquez’s runs throughout the practice and noted significant errors that underscored the challenges Ducati riders faced with race pace at Buriram. Marquez appeared uncomfortable on his bike, which many attribute to ongoing adaptation after a shoulder injury sustained in October, alongside adjusting to Ducati’s 2024 front aerodynamic package.
Espargaro told DAZN, as reported by Motosan:
If we look at the fastest lap, it was fast. But they were also making a lot of mistakes in race pace, and we saw that reflected in Marc’s laps with many errors, especially when stopping the bike, sliding a lot.
– Pol Espargaro, MotoGP Rider
Francesco Bagnaia Attributes Qualifying Struggles to Set-Up Choices
Fellow Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia also found difficulties controlling the GP26 during practice, which contributed to missing an automatic spot in Q2 and requiring him to start from Q1. Like Marquez, Bagnaia had trouble stopping the bike effectively in the mixed conditions of the session, hampered further by intermittent rain and tricky crosswinds on the back straight.
Bagnaia commented to MotoGP’s official site:
“On braking and [corner] entry, the bike was worse. And even with the conditions we had, the wind pushing on from the back in the back straight, was more difficult to stop the bike, even. So, I think we just made the wrong choice.”
He added:
But it’s part of the process. If the conditions were normal, surely we had the time to be back and improve. But it is what it is, and we just need to accept it and work better.
– Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Rider
Marco Bezzecchi Dominates Practice as Ducati Riders Struggle
Marco Bezzecchi impressed by setting the fastest times in practice, leaving both Ducati factory riders behind. Marquez was 0.421 seconds slower, while Bagnaia lagged further with a difference of 1.298 seconds from the leader. Bezzecchi’s performance at Buriram clearly positioned him as a strong contender for pole position this weekend.
While Marquez’s late session lap saved face for Ducati, the team’s overall difficulty in getting their riders comfortable at the Chang International Circuit is evident and raises concerns about their race pace moving forward.
Implications of Braking Issues and What the Future Holds
The braking problems experienced by Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia highlight ongoing struggles Ducati faces in adapting their bike setup to the complex demands of Buriram’s circuit combined with unpredictable weather. Marquez, still recovering from injury and adjusting to new aerodynamic equipment, must address these issues to remain competitive this season.
With Q1 looming for Bagnaia and intense competition from riders like Bezzecchi, Ducati’s performance strategy will play a crucial role in the upcoming qualifying sessions. The results from Thailand could significantly influence early championship momentum as Marquez seeks to overcome mechanical challenges and recapture top form.
