Marc Marquez still hoping to 'improve' ahead of 2024 MotoGP campaign as Qatar testing gets underway

Marc Marquez says he is still looking to "improve" ahead of the upcoming 2024 campaign.

The MotoGP paddock is currently at Lusail International Circuit in Qatar for the final weeks of testing before the season gets underway on the same track on March 8.

There has already been a period of testing at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, with defending champion Francesco Bagnaia finishing fastest on his Ducati Lenovo bike.

Bagnaia was also the fastest after the first day of testing in Qatar, with Marquez finishing 16th.

The eight-time world champion left Repsol Honda after 11 years for Gresini Ducati ahead of the new season, and is still currently acclimatising to his new bike.

Bagnaia, last season's runner-up Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta also share their thoughts while in Qatar.

First to Marquez, upon whom there will be many eyes after his transfer.

He said: "It’s maybe more important days than in Malaysia, especially because here we are closer to the race, to the start of the season. It will be important to understand how we can improve, step by step.

"In Malaysia, the last day was not bad, but I took a lot of time to arrive there. But we will see here I can restart it at a different point. I know that it will be difficult, but we will try to keep working like we did in Malaysia, and keep calm."

Italian Bagnaia will once again be challenging at the front of the field this year, if pre-season so far is a gauge.

"It’s for sure important," Bagnaia said of the testing in Qatar.

"We have to be lucky on the conditions, the forecast, because right now it’s quite difficult to have some good test for the wind.

"But’s let see. Hoping to have a nice condition tomorrow, to try different things, and finish the work started in Malaysia."

"It’s going to be the first test with 'GP mentality', let's say," Acosta said of his outings in Qatar. "At the end of two days, let's see how much progress, how many steps we can do in only two days.

"It’s going to be important also to prepare for the first race of the season, but much more to see how fast we can manage everything."

For Martin, the focus is on making a "good base" in Qatar.

"For sure, it’s important to have a good test here, the last day before the race and also on the same track," Martin said.

"It’s important to get used to it. We need to understand the new fairing, so I think our focus will be on that. Let’s try to make a good base to start the season in two weeks."

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.