Throughout much of 2023, as the story of Marc Marquez joining Gresini gained momentum and eventually became a reality, Ducati, the manufacturer providing his MotoGP bike for this year, was seen as somewhat reluctant and uninvolved. While there were rumors of the brand directly approaching Marquez to place him on a factory-supported bike, the Gresini deal was portrayed as a privateer outfit making its own decision on its rider lineup, with Ducati’s general approval but without being a major motivator. This meant that even if Marquez performed well on a privateer Ducati, he would not be the top priority for the works team.
Many of these assumptions still hold true. Marquez is an exceptional rider, but Ducati can and does win without him. Pecco Bagnaia continues to prove himself as the brand’s focal point. Additionally, other manufacturers should be able to make more financially competitive offers to Marquez, who will likely want to offset the money he gave up in 2024 by terminating his Honda contract.
However, the idea of Marquez joining Ducati just keeps making more sense. Let’s hear from some people who might have insight into this.
Francesco Guidotti, the KTM team manager, has been a strong advocate for Marquez joining the team. Guidotti has a past connection with Marquez through KTM’s 125cc program. While KTM may currently have less need for Marquez due to the success of Brad Binder and the emergence of Pedro Acosta, Guidotti expressed his desire to have Marquez on the team. He also suggested that Marquez may prefer to align himself with Ducati rather than riding a third different bike in three years in 2025.
Jorge Lorenzo, speaking to Spain’s Mundo Deportivo, did not rule out the possibility of Marquez joining Ducati in 2025. He highlighted the mutual respect between Marquez and Ducati’s technical expert Gigi Dall’Igna as a key factor. Lorenzo’s history with Dall’Igna, winning races for Derbi and titles for Aprilia when Dall’Igna was involved, adds weight to his opinion.
Gigi Dall’Igna himself has been seen as a strong advocate for having Marquez join Ducati. In his post-race columns for Ducati, Dall’Igna praised Marquez’s talent and adaptability, suggesting that his experience and desire to compete at the highest level could make a difference.
Mauro Grassilli, the new sporting director for Ducati, described Marquez as an important rider to consider in an interview with Motorsport.com Spain.
There is no denying that Marquez has already shown his skill on the Ducati Desmosedici.
The question of whether Ducati needs Marquez and whether he would be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to join the team in 2025 remains. Ducati currently has a wealth of talented riders within its ranks, and it could easily sign someone like Fabio Quartararo if desired. The safe choice would be Enea Bastianini, who has shown promise on the Ducati GP24 and could support Bagnaia. However, if Ducati is willing to take a risk, Marquez seems like a more obvious choice than Jorge Martin. Marquez’s name recognition and appeal to sponsors and viewers make him an attractive option.
The financial aspect is also a consideration. While Ducati is not currently the highest-paying team, Marquez’s profile and potential sponsorship deals could offset any salary differences. The recent partnership between Audi Spain and the Marquez brothers, who are now brand ambassadors, highlights Marquez’s continued appeal.
Ultimately, the decision may not solely come down to finances. Marquez has already shown a willingness to prioritize his chances of winning over a bigger payday. If Honda improves this year, Marquez’s loyalty to the brand may sway his decision. However, from a championship perspective, joining Ducati in their iconic red colors would be an enticing opportunity.