On Sunday in Motegi, Marc Marquez sealed his ninth world title and seventh in MotoGP, but his first on a Ducati. Starting from the front row after another display of mastery, the World Champion probably experienced the earliest crowning of his career, proof of total domination in 2025.
The observation is brutal: Marquez transformed his first season at Ducati in a long monologue, leaving his rivals without an answer. His overwhelming superiority reignites a debate that is already haunting the paddock: can anyone really beat him before the major technical reforms of 2027?
In an interview with Brand, Paolo Campinoti, boss of Pramac — who left Ducati for Yamaha in 2025 - was blunt: the list of drivers capable of shaking the "ant of Cervera" is very short. Few drivers can compete with Marc: Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin " he said bluntly.
Campinoti, now immersed in the universe Yamaha , was impressed by fabio quartararo : " Fabio has immense talent, he is a spectacular driver. »
The Frenchman, despite having an M1 that is statistically the slowest on the grid, has scored four poles, three podiums and 141 points this season - an achievement hailed even by Jorge Lorenzo, which places it in its current Top 3.
« I would love to see Fabio Quartararo on a Ducati to see him compete directly against Marc Marquez »
The Italian also cited George Martin, whom he knows well for having accompanied him during his years DucatiFor him, the Spaniard remains a potential weapon against Marquez, provided you are physically fit and supported by a competitive machine.
The problem ? Martin its fractured his collarbone on Saturday during the chaos of the first corner at Motegi, after a season already plagued by injuries and a complicated start at Aprilia. His deficit in the championship is getting worse, and his chances of returning to the level of Marquez before 2026 are dwindling.
As for Quarterly, his talent is undeniable, but the M1 remains too slow in a straight line and vulnerable in the rain. The Frenchman himself admitted earlier this year that he could " match Marc on dry land ", but he doubted he could follow through in difficult conditions.
Neil Hodgson, former Superbike World Champion and MotoGP consultant, has launched an idea that is already causing a stir in the paddock: " I would love to see Fabio on a Ducati to see him compete directly against Marc. » A scenario which, if it materializes, could finally offer a duel worthy of the Frenchman's talent.
This domination of Marquez intervenes while Ducati she herself is going through a moment of strategic doubt. Francis Bagnaia has just been reborn in Japan thanks to a return to the GP24 settings, after a disappointing start to the season. Pol Espargaro openly criticized the Red Factory for being slow to acknowledge its development mistakes:
« Sometimes going back is vital to moving forward. Ducati waited too long to listen to Bagnaia »
This return to basics could shake up the technical direction for 2026, but leaves a bitter taste: Ducati dominates… while seeming to have lost some of its clarity in innovation.
In the meantime, Marc Marquez could lock down the category. If nothing changes, he risks accumulating titles until the new 2027 regulations (new tires, redesigned engine, reduced aerodynamics) — the only real window for his rivals to make up the ground.
The question that is already obsessing fans and paddocks: will we have to wait for the technical revolution to see another MotoGP champion? Or a duo? Quartararo–Martin will he succeed in breaking the reign of Marquez before this date?
