What is Marc Marquez's next move in the Ducati MotoGP saga?
Marc Marquez doesn't "feel like having to adapt to a new bike, but I don't rule it out" as his chances of getting a factory Ducati MotoGP seat vanish.
Early Thursday morning, it emerged that Ducati had finally decided to choose Jorge Martin to join Francesco Bagnaia in the official Borgo Panigale team from next season.
As the hours went by, Marquez's discourse hardened. At first, the multi-champion was asked about the news in question, and he was disoriented: "This is not the information I have," he replied in one of the many interviews he gave in the morning, followed by many others in the afternoon.
Logically, and because of the contractual commitments with the Italian manufacturer, the most convenient operation would be for the #93 to join Pramac, which is deciding on whether or not to renew its contract with Ducati for the next two years to field factory machinery.
But this is a move Marquez has shut the door on, saying on Thursday "Pramac is not an option for me".
"I'm not going to change from one satellite team to another," he noted. "Last year I switched from Honda to Gresini, and I'm feeling very good here. It was a very delicate situation in my sporting career but now I'm competitive and I'm having fun."
As such, Marquez has not ruled out the possibility of leaving Ducati altogether, with an offer from the Pierer Mobility Group (KTM/GasGas) on the table.
"I don't want to have to adapt to a bike again, but I don't rule it out," he said.
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
"I'm lucky that in those three scenarios, I would feel comfortable, although I have my priorities."
Having lost the possibility of wearing factory Ducati red, the next item on his list of priorities is to remain at Gresini but with a works bike, the same one that Martin and Bagnaia will be riding.
To have this option, Pramac would have to not execute the renewal option with Ducati on the table, to presumably sign with Yamaha, or give up one of those two official prototypes, stay with only one, and 'cede' the other to Gresini.
"I have already told the people who need to know about this how I would feel comfortable," said Marquez.
Share Or Save This Story
Alberto Puig to step down as HRC team manager in 2027, take on advisory role
Why Aprilia’s MotoGP surge is no accident
The reason MotoGP teams are withholding their 2027 rider announcements
Ducati confident of Marc Marquez’s abilities as Davide Tardozzi shares recovery update
Why Marc Marquez collapsed after his Le Mans MotoGP crash: “I’m racing with one and a half arms”
The uncomfortable questions posed by Marc Marquez’s recent MotoGP form
Is Alex Marquez’s Jerez MotoGP breakthrough real or a blip?
Enea Bastianini: 'I am evaluating several future options; there could be a surprise'
Alex Marquez still involved in Ducati’s MotoGP development despite KTM move
Ollie Bearman admits F2 did not prepare him for brutal reality of Ferrari F1 debut
Why Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Mercedes is causing controversy
Scott Dixon “quietly comfortable” ahead of Indy 500 qualifying
Francesco Bagnaia: “Utter nonsense” to think MotoGP riders cannot influence Safety Commission
As Marquez sinks and Martin surges, Bezzecchi knows exactly who to beat for the MotoGP title
Five things we learned at the MotoGP French Grand Prix
The uncomfortable questions posed by Marc Marquez’s recent MotoGP form
Five things we learned from MotoGP’s Spanish GP
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments