Santi Hernandez: When you have a rider like Marc, the goal is to win the title

Crew chief to Marc Marquez, Santi Hernandez, says winning MotoGP title #7 is the only aim for the 2022 season. 

After two heavily-affected MotoGP campaigns due to injury, Marquez has looked close to his best during pre-season testing, making a seventh premier class title (ninth world championship overall should he achieve the feat) a very realistic possibility this season. 

Add to that the seemingly big improvements made by Honda after the Japanese manufacturer brought a brand new RC213V to the table, then a combination of Marquez returning to full fitness along with arguably the best Honda package in years could be problematic for the rest of the grid. 

Changes made by Honda for 2022 include a new engine, chassis, fairing, electronics and a new aero package, as ‘stability on entry, more grip and more power’ were key areas requested by Honda riders according to Hernandez. 

"Especially stability on entry, more grip and more power for the straight. This is what we want," added Marquez’ crew chief. "What we want, normally all riders want more power on the straight, more stability on the brakes and more grip on the exit. 

"This is what we request, because this is where we struggled more, especially on the straight, where you can gain lap time for free if you have a more powerful engine, it will be easier for the riders."

The 2022 season will mark Marquez and Hernandez’ 12th year together in the world championship which is by far the most between a current rider and crew chief, while the eight world titles accumulated thus far means a success rate of over 75%. 

Should Marquez win the 2022 world title - a championship that will likely see current MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo and Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia as his main rivals - then it will potentially be his best given the circumstances of the last two years. 

Speaking ahead of their 12th season together and the goals for 2022, Hernandez made it clear that 'when you are working with a rider like Marc, for me the goal is to win the title' regardless of the Spaniard's previous injuries. 

Hernandez added: "Of course, if you have same rider during many years everything is coming easier between us because everybody knows all of us and our job. 

"But at the end, as always, we say it’s difficult because everybody makes improvements, we have some weak points. We would like the new bike to help our weak points we had in the past. Try to do our best and try to be on the top like we want to be.”

"When you are coming from the last two years where you have not been ready to fight for the title, I would like to say we want to do the best that we can. 

"But honestly speaking, when you are working with a rider like Marc, for me the goal is to win the title. 

"After we’ll see how the season is, how every race is, and then after that we will see where our real goal is. But if you are asking me now, what is my goal, it’s to win the 2022 title with Marc."