Marc Marquez returned to the top step in Saturday’s sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, but the Ducati rider downplayed the result and stressed that it does not signal a true return to his dominant 2025 form.

The Spaniard inherited the win after Fabio Di Giannantonio made a late mistake in Goiânia, securing his first victory in six months. However, with the success coming in a shorter sprint format, Marquez was clear that he is not yet operating at the level required to fight regularly for full race victories.

Still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in Indonesia last October, Marquez admits the effects are still impacting both his riding and confidence on the bike.

“When I’m on the bike, I feel like I’m riding in a very strange way. I don’t feel like I did last year – relaxed, comfortable, moving my body well. I’m stiff. I’m not relaxed. I’m not playing around. I’m having scares that I don’t quite understand and that’s what we’re working on,” Marquez said, as quoted by Autosport.

Ducati has been working to adapt the bike to better suit his current condition, including changes introduced ahead of the sprint. However, Marquez is not fully convinced they are moving in the right direction. The challenge is also compounded by a more competitive grid. While Marquez and Ducati set the benchmark before his injury, Aprilia has since emerged as a genuine contender, with strong results carried over into the start of the 2026 season.

Marquez therefore finds himself not only rebuilding physically, but also adjusting to a tighter field.

“The way that I feel on the bike, yes, I feel better, but still far from the feeling I had last year. With the bike, we are trying to adjust the balance, because as you see on TV, me and Fabio have completely different riding styles,” he added.

He also highlighted the physical demands of his current situation.

“When you are fighting against the bike, you use more energy. It’s always a consequence,” Marquez concluded.