By returning to the top of MotoGP in 2025 with the official Ducati team, Marc Marquez has completed one of the most spectacular comebacks in the recent history of the premier class. But according to Paolo Campinotti, this victorious transfer was absolutely not the scenario initially envisioned by Ducati.
Having proven, despite a series of serious injuries at the beginning of the decade, that he had lost none of his genius, Marquez was clearly in search of one last challenge: a new world title.
At that moment, however, sporting logic seemed to point to George Martin as the natural favorite to join the official team Ducati next to Francis Bagnaia, after his coronation in 2024.
Finally, Ducati surprised the entire paddock by opting for Marquez rather than Martin, a decision that Luigi Dall'Igna had justified it at the time by two "qualitative" criteria.
More Campinoti today sheds a much more explosive light on the matter. Interviewed by Moto.it during the launch of Pramac For the 2026 season, the Italian boss revealed that Marquez had initially been considered at Pramac… before refusing.
« It was possible. He refused, and Ducati went back on its wordThey said that if Marquez didn't accept, Martin would still join the factory team, and that Marquez was sidelined »
A verbal commitment which, according to Campinoti, was not respected:
« What they said in Barcelona was not respected, and Martin made the hasty decision to sign immediately with Aprilia. because it had created a personal rift on his part, more than a professional one. »
A statement heavy with meaning, which suggests that the refusal of Marquez to go through Pramac forced Ducati to completely revise its strategy, indirectly causing the departure of Martin toward Aprilia.
Ducati and flexible agreements: What they said in Barcelona was not respected "reveals Campinoti
This is not the first time Ducati modifies a commitment mid-course, and probably not the last one. Campinoti implicitly recalls a recent precedent: Fermin Aldeguer was originally supposed to have a factory machine at Gresini for his second season in MotoGP.
But the impressive performances ofAlex Marquez changed the situation. Ducati finally rewarded the latter with a new motorcycle, leaving Aldeguer without the promised promotion.
Campinoti He also revisited a statement that had generated considerable controversy, when he asserted that Pramac didn't need to Marquez to win. A phrase he was keen to contextualize:
« It would obviously be foolish to say that we don't like having Marc Marquez on the team. But it is also true that we won the world championship without him, the team championship, the drivers' championship. »
And he added, without mincing words: "If someone has to be sacrificed, it's better that they don't come." We have demonstrated that even without him, we can achieve significant results. »
Before concluding with an acknowledged but unashamed respect: He's undoubtedly the best driver. But we're also one of the best teams on the grid, and we do not feel inferior to him »
Behind the seventh title MotoGP de Marc Marquez Therefore, what lies hidden is a chain of political, human, and strategic decisions, including Ducati did not emerge unscathed.
The champion won. Ducati as well. But the paddock, for its part, witnessed the birth of a lasting rift, the effects of which are still being felt in 2026, between Pramac and a factory Ducati more powerful than ever… but also more unpredictable.
