Álex Márquez finishes as top Honda at rainy Red Bull Ring

Álex Márquez claimed a fine top-10 finish in a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix that was turned on its head by heavy late rainfall at the Red Bull Ring. With only a few drops in the air at the start, a dry race was declared, only for the white flag to be waved on the opening lap. But, despite grey clouds, the rain then held off until the closing stages when the real drama started and the leading places changed constantly in a gripping finish.

Departing from the fifth row, Álex briefly did battle with LCR team-mate Taka Nakagami early on but struggled with his medium front tyre. When the heavens opened five laps from the end, the Spaniard was one of those who opted to stay out and was able to push into the leading places, before eventually settling for ninth as he was caught by some of his rivals on wet tyres on the final lap.

Álex Marquez 9th : “Well, it was a such a difficult race, I made a mistake with the front medium tyre, in the dry it was a disaster, we cooked the tyre too much, it was hot and just impossible to ride. But I knew there was always half a chance of rain and, while I was trying to give 100 percent, I was just waiting for some rain and, in the end, it came and we finished P9. We cannot be happy because in the race I made that mistake and I want to say sorry to my team because it was my choice, but we go to Silverstone in a good mood as it’s another solid weekend and that’s the most important thing.”