Marc Marquez has explained why he advised Isack Hadjar not to compete in Formula 1’s Dutch Grand Prix while recovering from a wrist injury.
The Red Bull driver had been keen to race at Zandvoort last weekend, despite injuring his wrist the previous week while working out in a gym. However, the 21-year-old ultimately decided to sit out the race after discussing the situation with team principal Laurent Mekies and former Red Bull athlete Marquez, who both urged him to prioritise his recovery.
Reigning MotoGP world champion Marquez has now revealed that Hadjar contacted him after suffering the injury to ask for advice on how to manage his recovery.
Having seen his own career disrupted by an arm fracture at Jerez in 2020, Marquez advised the French-Algerian driver not to rush his comeback and warned him about the possible consequences.
“Hadjar contacted me,” Marquez told MotoGP.com. “I’m not a doctor, of course, but just for advice.
“Because sometimes for a rider, or a driver in this case, it’s super difficult because sometimes you feel that OK, maybe you can. But it’s difficult to accept that, ‘OK, I will skip this race and I will prepare myself in a better way for the next one’.
“And it’s just what I said. I learned in the past that missing one race will not change your life. Missing, or worsening your injury because you ride too early, can change your life.
“My life changed a lot since the Jerez injury. So yeah, I just tried to give that advice to Hadjar, and I think he took the correct decision because he has a long career in front [of him].”
Marquez reflects on his own injury experience
Marquez’s comments highlight a significant change in his mindset. The factory Ducati rider has repeatedly admitted in recent years that he has learned to accept his physical limitations.
The Spaniard’s MotoGP career nearly ended when he broke a bone in his arm during a heavy highside at the 2020 season opener in Jerez. After undergoing immediate surgery, he attempted to return just days later at the Andalucian GP, but the additional strain placed on his body weakened the plate attached to his arm.
After withdrawing midway through the weekend, Marquez missed the entire season. It was not until a fourth operation in 2022 that he regained much of the mobility he had lost in his arm.
When will Isack Hadjar return to Formula 1?
Hadjar’s absence from the Dutch GP saw Liam Lawson promoted from Racing Bulls to replace him at Red Bull, while Yuki Tsunoda took Lawson’s place at the sister team.
It remains unclear when Hadjar will return to action. The next Formula 1 Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at Monza on 6 September.
Source: www.motorsport.com
