Marc Marquez Warned After Sending Body Double to Pre-Race Karting Event at Japanese GP

Pulse Sports Team 12:34 - 05 October 2026

World champion Marc Marquez was issued a warning by MotoGP officials after sending a body double to compete in a promotional karting race held just hours before the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Spaniard made the move due to needing physiotherapy on his right arm following the morning warm-up session—a routine procedure for him after track time. Faced with the tight turnaround, he decided at the last minute to skip the karting event and sent an imposter in his place.

"There is a line. I understand the show, but we are fighting for the world championship; we're not here to mess around in karts. After warm-up, I had to put ice on my right arm, and someone suggested it would be cool to send a lookalike, so that's what we did. "I got a reprimand. But at times like that, you have to be selfish and ensure you are at your absolute best when it truly matters—in the race," explained Marquez, who went on to win the Japanese GP and cut Jorge Martin's championship lead to just two points.

It was Martin himself who first suspected something was amiss with the Marquez impersonator.

"I quickly noticed that it wasn't Marc. But honestly, I get it. When they told us about this event, I wasn't convinced either. People go crazy out there—one hit from behind and you're paying for it in the main race. That's why I just got out of the way into Turn 1 and stayed with the slower group," the Aprilia rider commented.