Marc Marquez has revealed an issue with his Honda's electronics were to blame for him stalling on the grid prior to the start of the MotoGP race in Argentina two weeks ago.
Marquez launched from sixth in the split grid in Argentina, which saw second backwards placed six rows back from poleman Jack Miller after the rest of the field made a late call to join the Australian on slick tyres.
Prior to the start, Marquez stalled his RC213V, but was able to restart it and take up his grid slot – though was later handed a ride-through penalty for failing to take the start from the pitlane.
The Spaniard claims his issue was caused by an electrical fault, which race winner Cal Crutchlow suffered on his LCR bike earlier in the weekend, though Honda thought the Briton had simply made a mistake.
“Honda analysed very deep why the engine stopped on the grid, it was like something on the gearbox with the dashboard and something else electronic there,” Marquez explained.
“Then we tried to fix for the future, for example to Cal it happened in the practice [session] but they didn't consider [it was a technical issue]; they thought that was just a mistake.
“It was not only me [who encountered this issue], but [I was] unlucky it happened on the grid at the start of the race. It was a shame, but it was like this. It's experience for the future.”
Marquez – who finished 18th in the end following another penalty for a late clash with Valentino Rossi – says he did not return to the pits to take the start after stalling because previously a rider could take up their original grid slot if they were able to restart their bike, and he believed this was still the case.
“I realised when I stopped the engine I was going to the pits, because normally a MotoGP bike with one guy with one rider is impossible to run again alone,” he said.
“But I was going on the pits, because there we have the machine with the mechanic, but I try and the engine turned on, and then there was a big confusion there with the Race Direction because also in the past that was possible, to run the engine again and come back in your position.
“But the problem was a misunderstanding there and it was a big confusion for everybody, but everybody learned from that situation.”
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