Due to rain ramping up, track conditions during qualifying gradually got worse, meaning the early laps in the session proved decisive in the pole battle.

Marquez recorded what eventually ended up the pole position time on his first try, and then suffered a crash on the next lap, sliding off into the gravel at La Chapelle.

He elaborated that it had been his strategy to push on his second lap, after having already set a time.

"Was a difficult qualy because was not only about speed - was about strategy, being smart, understanding track conditions," said Marquez.

"Immediately when I went out I saw that we made the correct decision, that was to start with the wet [tyres], and then immediately I saw that light rain becomes heavier and heavier.

"In the first lap I push a little bit, was enough to be in pole, and then on the second lap – [that] was the strategy, first lap push a little bit and second lap was give everything.

"When I give everything, just was three corners very good, but then in the fourth corner I fell down."

Following his crash, Marquez was able to remount his Honda and continued to log laps without coming into the pits.

"When I crash, I saw that the bike was pretty good. And then I immediately understand that the track was a little bit more slippery, and was very difficult to be faster than 1[m]41[s].

"Tomorrow maybe [we will race] in these conditions, so I stay out to understand the way to ride, the way to set up the bike, and still we need to improve a few things, but yeah, I stay out for prepare the race."

Marquez also had a crash in the pre-qualifying FP4 session, when he entered the damp circuit on slicks but fell while taking Turn 9 at low speed.

While Marquez was confused by the incident, he said it didn't take away any of his confidence.

"I was not pushing, even I was not touching the knee on the floor, but was maybe the tyre too cold, was from yesterday, used, and then Michelin tyres when are used, the first two laps are difficult to warm [up the tyre].

"But the track was dry, I don't know what's happened on that crash, was very strange, but didn't take off confidence from myself because I knew that was something strange, so I keep going later."