MotoGP released video footage on their social media channels showing Marc Marquez and his Ducati crew chief, Marco Rigamonti, planning their exit from the grid at COTA. The footage also reveals a misunderstanding of the penalty consequences, which contradicts Marquez’s post-race claim that he had executed a “perfect” strategy according to plan.

The video, published not only on MotoGP.com but also on social media, provides a different perspective on Marquez’s strategy. In the footage, it becomes clear that Marquez made a crucial mistake. He believed that by starting the warm-up lap from pit lane, he would be placed last on the grid without any further penalties. However, according to the rules, this action would result in a ride-through penalty.

In the video, the Ducati team is seen frantically discussing Marquez’s options. During the conversation, Marquez asks Rigamonti:

Marquez: “If I go there [to swap bikes] and exit from the pit lane, I start last, right? [Last] on the grid and without a long lap penalty?”

Rigamonti: “Yeah, you start last.”

Marquez: “But without [a penalty]?”

Rigamonti: “Yeah.”

However, moments later, Rigamonti begins to doubt his response. He admits that he is not completely sure:

Rigamonti: “I’m not sure how that works.”

Seeking clarification, they turn to Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi.

Rigamonti: “If he [Marquez] now wants to start from the box, with the dry bike…”

Tardozzi: “He gets a ride-through.”

Despite Tardozzi’s clear explanation, Rigamonti remains convinced otherwise.

Rigamonti: “No, without entering with this [bike]. Starting from there and just leaving this [bike on the grid].”

Even with Tardozzi’s warning, Marquez was unfazed, as he still believed he wouldn’t be penalized.

Marquez: “Yeah sure, I start last and that’s it. It’ll be as if I haven’t done the normal start procedure.”

Rigamonti: “He starts last.”

Rigamonti then explained an alternative plan where Marquez would swap bikes after the warm-up lap. However, he failed to mention that this would also trigger a ride-through penalty.

Rigamonti: “Or he does the warm-up lap with this bike and then enters pit lane, he’ll start from pit lane.”

Unfortunately, Tardozzi did not correct this statement, allowing the misunderstanding to persist.

With his mind made up, Marquez gave his final instructions:

Marquez: “When there’s three minutes remaining, if it’s [dry] like this, we’ll go… The mechanics go back to the pit, and I go. Tell me if the bike is ready.”

Then, whispering to Rigamonti, he added:

Marquez: “Don’t tell anyone.”

After receiving confirmation that his second bike was ready, Marquez confirmed his strategy.

Marquez: “Let’s go with the plan.”

Rigamonti: “Flag to flag?”

Marquez: “No. When there’s three minutes remaining, I’m going.”

The video ends with Marquez sprinting off the grid to the Ducati garage, triggering a domino effect as other riders followed his move. What initially appeared to be a calculated plan turned out to be a strategy based on misunderstanding—and luck.