Let's talk MotoGP: What Marc Marquez's contract extension with Ducati might be hiding

Finally! After months of waiting, the MotoGP rider market is finally open! It starts with the most anticipated announcement: Marc Marquez's contract extension with Ducati, which has reportedly been officially agreed upon internally since the beginning of 2026. What to make of it? Did Marc Marquez make the right choice? Did Ducati make the right one? And is there something else hidden in this contract? Let's analyze.

 

Marquez stays at Ducati

 

Given that this transfer window is shaping up to be absolutely crazy, I'll be writing at least one article per announcement, as you can imagine. I'm happy to start with this contract extension, about which I have a lot to say. As a preliminary point, I wanted to remind everyone that it will be very difficult to predict the performance of the various players. MotoGP 850cc. The category will change radically, and no brand is an inherent favorite.I have my preferences, of course, but this is based on nothing more than my knowledge of the history of motorsport, and my own feelings about the dynamics of each manufacturer.

 

 

In my software, Ducati represents a very good optionFerrari arguably has the best brains currently at the helm, Gigi Dall'Igna, and throughout history, it's rare for a brand that dominates one era to fail in the next. But there are notable exceptions, so nothing is guaranteed. However, in my opinion, the next Desmosedici won't be the worst motorcycle – and I'm not relying on the Brno test to make that claim.

Marquez is therefore making a perfectly logical choice Ducati helped him relaunch his MotoGP career in 2024 through the private team Gresini Racing, and even promoted him to the official team for 2025 when there was a huge debate with Jorge Martin at the time of his signing – no doubt the “Martinator” deserved more, by the way. Then, Marquez shone brightly, won his ninth title, and we know what happened next.

He is choosing continuity, and I believe that was the best option available to him. I wasn't necessarily expecting him to extend for two years, as he will be 35 at the end of the 2028 season..

 

No return of Marc Marquez to Honda?

 

In the title of this article, I refer to two elements that this contract might conceal. The first of my theories concerns a potential return to Honda. It has always been an unlikely rumor, but we mustn't forget that Marc Marquez has been linked to Repsol and the Honda teams since his 125cc days. In Moto2, he already had the support of a factory team, or something very close to it, with the elements he later encountered in MotoGP, within the winged brand. The separation at the end of 2023 was rather painful, and after 11 seasons with Honda, It was to be expected that he would want to return there at the twilight of his MotoGP career.

From my point of view, this contract completely, or almost completely, eliminates that option. Unless Honda finds a miracle solution by 2027 and dominates the category for the next five years, I don't see Marc Marquez, 35 years old and battered and bruised, taking on a new challenge just to return to his original team. It's not impossible, but it's highly improbable. I do believe that this contract will be his last in MotoGP.Retiring at the end of 2028 would be reasonable for his body, and therefore, his future. Marquez explicitly says he's more aware of this now, and that's why I don't see him continuing after that.

 

Is there a surprise in store for us?

 

To extend the previous argument, I must confess something: I absolutely did not expect to see him sign until 2028That seems a long way off, especially since his recurring injuries make him seem like he's been living on borrowed time for a while now. And then, when I weigh up what he stands to gain (two more titles) and what he stands to lose (his health for the rest of his life), I see a clear imbalance.

 

 

That's why I can't rule out a surprise retirement at the end of 2026. Don't think I'm losing it just because he announced his contract extension. In 2016, Nico Rosberg had also officially announced his future with Mercedes-AMG in Formula 1And that didn't stop him from retiring right after winning the title, to everyone's surprise. If he takes a 10th crown, Marc Marquez will undoubtedly become the greatest rider in history. Do you think he would risk everything by going for an 11th, then a 12th title, just to push the limits and perhaps break Giacomo Agostini's record of 122 career wins? I highly doubt it. Yes, Marquez loves racing, yes, he's addicted to the adrenaline rush. But I've noticed a change in his behavior in recent seasons, especially after his time in the infirmary in 2023. He says he enjoys other aspects of life, looks at other horizons. He is also of an age to start a family with his partner Gemma.Its longevity is already the best of all time; it has nothing left to prove.

There is very little chance that this will happen. I am aware of that, but I cannot erase this idea from my head because strong arguments support it. And seeing him retire with a 10th world title would suit me just fine, ultimately..

 

Conclusion

 

Marquez's contract extension with Ducati makes perfect sense. The best rider signs with the best team, and I doubt that any change in regulations, however significant, will disrupt this dominance. Ducati or not, Marquez will always be considered the favorite as long as he shows up at the start.

What do you think of this extension, and especially of my theory regarding the potential surprise that could await us at the end of the season? Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport