Marc Marquez has regained his throne. The Spanish rider has just secured his ninth world title – his seventh in MotoGP – by finishing second in the Japanese Grand Prix behind his teammate Francesco Bagnaia. An early victory, with five races remaining, marks one of the most impressive comebacks in the history of the sport after four years of injuries and doubts.
But barely had the celebration ended when a wind of controversy was already blowing through the paddock: Liberty Medium, new owner of MotoGP, plans to force Marquez to abandon his iconic number 93 to race with the number 1 in 2026.
Marquez dominated the 2025 season with his Ducati GP25, securing an insurmountable advantage in the championship early on. His triumph at Motegi has a special flavor: he thus equals his great rival Valentino Rossi in total number of world titles, while confirming his status as emperor of an era dominated by Ducati.
But this celebration could be marred by a change imposed by Liberty Media. According to a report by Moto sprint, Liberty wants to modernize and "standardize" the image of MotoGP, notably by removing ad personam plates for world champions. As in Formula 1, the winner would be forced to race with the plate number 1 the following year, whether he likes it or not.
A decision that would directly target Marc Marquez, always attached to his 93, a lucky number that has become his signature and a pillar of his brand image.
Ducati would applaud, Marc Marquez much less
At Ducati, the idea of a return of the mythical number 1 plate would be pleasing: Borgo Panigale lost this symbol when George Martin, 2024 champion with Pramac, went to Aprilia taking it with him. Seeing the number 1 GP25 shine in 2026 would obviously flatter the red pride.
But for Marquez, the perspective is completely different. Never, in twelve MotoGP seasons, has he agreed to abandon his 93, even after his six victories with Honda (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
This number is more than just a number: it's his year of birth, a logo, a globally recognized piece of merchandising. Forcing him to get rid of it would be seen as a direct intrusion into his sporting identity.
The case is not isolated: Valentino Rossi had refused throughout his career to put the number 1 on his Yamaha , preferring to protect the myth of the 46. Before him, Barry Sheene had kept his 7 despite two consecutive 500cc titles. MotoGP has always left this choice to the champion. Liberty is therefore preparing to break with a historical tradition.
This measure is far from pleasing the supporters. Already furious that Liberty only recognizes the Marquez's seven MotoGP titles and minimizes its two intermediate crowns (Moto2, 125cc), many see in this obligation a way of erasing the identity of the pilots in favor of a global brand.
Anger is growing all the more as Liberty is multiplying ambitious projects: bringing the MotoGP calendar closer to that of F1, reforming media exposure, and seeking to further distance the premier class from Moto2 and Moto3. Some see this as a risk of "F1-izing" MotoGP, by standardizing its symbols.
If the measure comes into force, Marc Marquez will be the first to be affected in 2026. And everything indicates that he will not enjoy it. The Catalan has built his entire career on his own graphic identity; abandoning the 93 for a " 1 " imposed would almost be a forced denial.
Rossi, the tutelary figure of the discipline, had always refused. Marquez, as heir to an era where marketing is as crucial as performance, could also oppose it... at the risk of a public showdown with Liberty.
MotoGP celebrates its champion, but a conflict is already looming. After regaining his crown, Marquez may have to fight an unexpected battle to defend his favorite number – a symbol of an identity that Liberty seems ready to shake things up in the name of a new commercial era.
