Marc Marquez does not believe team orders are necessary when a rider has the required speed. The Ducati rider arrives at the Australian Grand Prix two points behind Jorge Martin, with the title battle making the question particularly relevant after the Indonesian round.

Marquez said his focus remains on his own performance as he works with Ducati, his team and his staff to give everything he can. His position is straightforward: sufficient pace removes the need for team orders, while a lack of pace can make them more important. Ducati and Aprilia management have likewise indicated that it is still too early to use them.

Aprilia is also thought to have held a meeting with all of its riders on Thursday, with team orders reportedly discussed. The riders rejected that account of the meeting, leaving the issue as a subject of discussion rather than a confirmed race instruction.

Indonesia strengthened Marquez’s position

Marquez’s previous round at Mandalika included a sprint victory and sixth place in the main race. He described the weekend as a very good one, explaining that he scored the same number of points as Martin and lost only three points to Marco Bezzecchi. He also revealed that he had arrived in Indonesia with some big doubts, although he had not expressed them at the time. The team’s work, he said, went very well.

Phillip Island presents a different test. Marquez likes the circuit, particularly its left-hand corners where he normally performs well, but expects Aprilia to be strong after its speed there last year. The forecast also does not look favourable for Saturday and Sunday, adding another variable to an already finely balanced weekend.