Alex Marquez: My MotoGP future is in my hands, everything is open

Like most of the MotoGP field, Alex Marquez is currently without a contract for the 2023 season.

The Spaniard has had an unusual MotoGP journey, starting as a factory Repsol Honda rider alongside brother Marc in 2020, then losing his seat to Pol Espargaro for 2021 before a racing lap was completed in the Covid-delayed season.

Alex went on to claim two podiums during his rookie campaign, Honda's only rostrums of 2020. But the 25-year-old had a much tougher time after being moved to the satellite LCR Honda team last season, suffering six DNFs before a best of fourth at Portimao.

Marquez remains at LCR, alongside Takaaki Nakagami, and opened his 2022 track activities with 17th place at last week's Sepang test. But lap times were incredibly close - Marquez was just 0.669s from the top - and he believes all those without a contract are already trying to impress.

"All the contracts or nearly all the contracts will be open, everything will be open, so it's a motivation to take a nice place, or being in the same one, because I'm really happy here also," Marquez said. "So it's a motivation to have this opportunity, because in the end, my future is in my hands.

"This is a nice thing that you can have in your life. You don't depend on anybody, just in your abilities, have it in your hands, so it will be interesting to see.

"As you saw in Sepang, all the riders out of contract, we are in time attack. It's like this, everybody wants to push in the test already to have a good image for the teams.

"But I believe in the work, I believe we will be ready in Qatar to fight for a good result, and from there, we will see.

"Everything is open, I didn't speak with anybody, this is work for Emilio [Alzamora] and my work is to have a good performance on track. This is just what I can do for my future."

Older brother Marc (Repsol Honda), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Yamaha) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) are the only riders currently confirmed on next year's MotoGP grid.

Alex meanwhile will be hoping to continue his pattern of breakthrough year-three performances in the smaller classes, when he was world champion in Moto3 and then took his long-awaited first race victories in Moto2.

MotoGP riders will be back on track tomorrow (Friday) for the start of the final pre-season test, at Indonesia's new Mandalika circuit.