Marc Marquez explains Gresini pit box mix-up at Spanish MotoGP

Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez missed his team's pit box during Friday's practice sessions at the Spanish Grand Prix, accidentally stopping at his former team's pit box. This is a mistake that even Formula 1 champions like Lewis Hamilton have made in the past. 

The 32-year-old accidentally pulled up to Gresini's team garage earlier today instead of the Ducati garage - something he was asked about following the session.

"Yes, because I got confused looking at where the problem was coming from," he said with a laugh, "I got confused looking at what was happening and that I had to report to the mechanics, and when I realised what had happened I said, 'Well, it's Gresini!'"

Detailing what happened further, he admitted he was dealing with a technical issue that was sapping his focus. 

"Honestly speaking, I [could] say that I'm confused, but no; I was just looking at one problem that I had on the bike and I was looking at what was going on to tell straight away to the mechanics," he said. "But then I missed the box and I stopped at the Gresini garage, that is the next one. It was a funny situation."

Lewis Hamilton did a similar thing in 2013 when he pulled his Mercedes into the McLaren pitbox after six seasons with the Woking outfit.

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

It was a difficult day for Marquez with him dealing with a number of issues on his bike, and even his second bike. 

"I came back with the first bike because we had the wrong map," he revealed. "It was a problem they fixed quickly, and while they were working I went out on the second bike.

"I noticed something strange about the clutch and there seemed to be something wrong with the riding as well, but also in the cockpit, and I was so focused that I didn't realise I had passed my pit. I stopped in the pit box just in case. There was nothing wrong, it was just a visual thing.

"Ten years ago I would have continued, but now I prefer to stop and check everything properly. After that I went out again, and both bikes were working perfectly."