MotoGP rookie Marc Marquez has said he will be using Casey Stoner's data from last year in order to compare and contrast his performance in tomorrow's opening free practice sessions at Phillip Island.
The 20-year-old, who needs just eight more points than Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday to clinch a record-busting first championship, says he is hoping to be faster than Stoner - a six-time winner at the Australian track - as it has been resurfaced and should be less bumpy.
"I have checked his data and tomorrow we will compare but it will be difficult with the new asphalt and less bumps so it looks like we will be, or must be, a little bit faster. Casey was very fast and we will try to know where he made that difference," said Marquez, speaking at Phillip Island.
This weekend is the first opportunity that Marquez will have to clinch his title but is well aware of how fast Lorenzo is around a circuit which should more suit the Yamaha.
"It is the first chance but it will be so, so difficult because Jorge is so fast here. Last year, he finish second but we know here that Casey was like an animal. For me, it will be another race so the most important for me is to get the title, it doesn't matter when.
"I will stay focused and we will see on Sunday if we can take a victory or points for the championship. I saw some video from last year and Casey did some incredible lines. Stoner's record is almost unbeatable, six victories at one circuit is quite a lot but we know he was so fast here."