---
title: "Set-up changes fail to produce desired results for Marquez"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/03/24/set-changes-fail-produce-desired-results-marquez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-03-24T21:58:58Z"
modified: "2017-03-24T22:00:36Z"
---

# Set-up changes fail to produce desired results for Marquez

Honda’s Marc Marquez has admitted that he and his team still have work to do to be fully competitive for Sunday’s 22-lap Qatar Grand Prix, after several set-up changes failed to deliver their desired results.

The reigning world champion began the weekend well enough, ending the opening evening second fastest with a 1m54.912s and pleased with the performance of his RC213V at the 5.4km Losail International Circuit.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/03/652149896.jpg)

Changes to the electronics and the general set-up of his bike were made today in a bid to improve corner exit performance. However, these alterations proved to be a step in the wrong direction for the Spaniard.

“Yesterday I had felt very good, but today we made many changes to the bike, looking for more grip and to improve on corner exit,” he explained.

“But we didn’t get the results we were hoping for. So now we’ll re-check everything and tomorrow we’ll take a step back with the settings.”

The misdirection in bike set-up saw Marquez fail to improve on his FP1 time, the Honda rider lapping four tenths slower in this evening’s second outing to go seventh fastest.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/03/657416658.jpg)

His lap from FP1 was good enough to keep him third on the combined standings, however, so Marquez still progresses straight into the second part of qualifying.

Though Friday proved to be less productive than hoped, Marquez still made headway in certain areas with the bike, finding more confidence in the front-end of his Honda and improving his performance on worn rubber.

“A positive point from today is that we again found the confidence in the front that was missing yesterday,” he added.

“Also, the feeling on used tyres this afternoon wasn’t bad. Anyway, we still have work to do to improve out rhythm to be able to fight for the podium on Sunday.”