Marc Marquez has experienced the positive and negative sides of Instagram and co. – young riders need to be careful because “you can waste a lot of time”
Social networks have also become an important medium for racing drivers. Marc Marquez, for example, has almost seven million followers on Instagram alone. But he has also experienced the negative sides of these platforms.
In 2014, there was speculation that he could relocate to the tax haven of Andorra. In Spain in particular, the social networks were abuzz at the time. As a result, Marquez had to tearfully deny the speculation at a press conference.
His rivalry with Valentino Rossi is still part of heated discussions on social networks today. That is why Marquez advises young racing riders to handle it with care, because “you can waste a lot of time with it”.
The eight-time world champion is a role model for some young talents. Most recently in Thailand, Fermin Aldeguer (18 years old) won the Moto2 race and David Alonso (17 years old) in the Moto3 class. It was the fourth victory for rookie Alonso.
When the Colombian returned to the pit lane after the final lap, he stopped to congratulate Marquez. He congratulated him on his victory. “I went to applaud him because he deserved it,” said Marquez, paying tribute to the talented youngster.
“I’ve liked him a lot since he came into the world championship. I can still remember his first race in the Rookies Cup. He came to me and asked me for advice. He is very nice, I like him a lot.”
Alonso also has the chance to become Moto3 World Champion in his first season. Before the last three Grands Prix, he is 25 points behind Jaume Masia. “I said to him: ‘Trust that it’s possible’,” Marquez reveals what he whispered in Alonso’s ear in the pit lane.
and mini @marcmarquez93 Alonso ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/MrK3js9beo
– Aspar Team (@AsparTeam) November 2, 2023
“Of course there are drivers with more experience. Like Masia, who for me is the favorite, but David is the best rookie of the year. I wish him all the best. Does he have something special? Obviously! But these riders are still very young.”
“The thing is that they are young and can stagnate. It depends. We see that with Fermin, who is also still very young. At that age, low blows hit you harder than when you’re 30 years old and more mature.”
And this is where the influence of social networks comes into play, because it can also have a negative impact. “That didn’t used to be the case. When I rode in the 125cc class and in Moto2, these networks were not so powerful,” Marquez recalls ten years ago.
“You didn’t know so much about what people were saying back then. But now you can waste a lot of time on it when you’re young. The problem is that they have to do everything on camera. “
