The eight-time world champion decided not to finish the last year of his Honda contract in 2024. Instead, he joined the Gresini Ducati team, using a bike from 2023 because the Honda wasn’t competitive enough.
In the first three races of 2024, Marquez did well twice, getting on the podium in sprint races. Last weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, he qualified first and finished second in the main race after a tough battle with Francesco Bagnaia from the Ducati team.
Right now, Marquez only has a one-year deal with Gresini Racing. He’s one of the riders being considered for a seat in the factory Ducati team in 2025, along with Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini.
Ducati plans to decide its factory team lineup before the Italian GP. Marquez hinted that Ducati isn’t his only option for a factory ride in 2025.
He said, “The important thing is that the results are coming. So far there was speed but no results. Let’s see if we confirm at Le Mans. I’ve always said it: the faster you go on track, the more options [you have].”
He also said, “Mentally, I’m pretty clear about what I want.”
When asked if getting a factory Ducati seat depends on him, he said, “Well, it depends on everything in general, but the important thing is that I have it clear and I don’t just have one option.”
Ducati has already signed Bagnaia for two more years until the end of 2026. They’ve also made a deal to bring up Moto2 star Fermin Aldeguer to MotoGP next year, but they haven’t decided where he’ll race yet.
KTM has extended Brad Binder’s contract until the end of 2026. Honda has Luca Marini in the factory team and Johann Zarco in LCR, both until the end of 2025.
