Marc Marquez has stated that dirty air is costing riders up to a second per lap in today’s MotoGP. The reigning world champion spent much of the United States Grand Prix battling in the midfield, trying to recover from an early penalty.
The incident with Fabio Di Giannantonio in Saturday’s Sprint landed Marquez a long-lap penalty, which he had to serve early in the race, dropping him back to 11th place.
Despite starting further down the order, Marquez managed to work his way back into the points, eventually finishing fifth after a long fight with Tech3’s Enea Bastianini.
Marc Marquez criticises turbulent air in MotoGP midfield
Speaking to ‘Carrusel Deportivo’ after the race, via Mundo Deportivo, Marquez complained about the turbulent wake coming from the bikes in front.
The early rounds of the 2026 season have featured more action than many of the 2025 races, particularly in the Sprints. Fortunately for Marquez, the aerodynamic profile of the bikes will be simplified next year, which should improve racing.
“In the current MotoGP, when you’re in dirty air it’s practically impossible,” he said. “Without meaning to, you end up riding a second slower.”
He accepted that he wasn’t fast enough to match Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi up front but felt a first Grand Prix podium of the season was possible without his penalty.
“I focused on my race; we didn’t have the pace to win anyway. Without the penalty, we would have fought for the podium, but not for victory.”
Martin and Rivola back Ducati to recover after US GP defeat
Last year, Marquez probably would have managed to win the race at Austin even with a long-lap penalty, but 2026 is shaping up differently for him. He’s still not at full strength, which has opened the door for VR46’s Di Giannantonio to take over as the top Ducati rider in the early standings.
The current leaderboard has Bezzecchi heading an Aprilia one-two ahead of KTM’s Pedro Acosta, with Di Giannantonio in fourth. But Massimo Rivola isn’t reading too much into it just yet. He said he doesn’t think Aprilia has faced the “real” Marquez yet and isn’t letting himself get carried away by early results.
Martin echoed that sentiment. He expects Ducati will be back to their usual form when racing returns for the Spanish Grand Prix later this month.
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