Simply days after confirming a brand new two-year MotoGP cope with Ducati, Marc Marquez has revealed that he held what he described as an “casual dialog” with Honda representatives, who explored the potential for bringing him again to the Japanese producer.
As first reported by El Periodico, the assembly happened on the Friday afternoon of final yr’s Valencia Grand Prix, the ultimate spherical of the 2025 season. It was held inside considered one of Honda Racing Company’s hospitality items whereas Marquez was sidelined by means of damage, having wrapped up his seventh MotoGP world title in Japan earlier than getting harm on the following spherical in Indonesia.
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Talking to DAZN through the Dutch GP at Assen, the Ducati rider insisted the assembly by no means developed past a cordial change and that no formal provide or contractual discussions ever happened.
“There was an off-the-cuff dialog, however I used to be all the time clear that I wished to listen to Ducati first,” stated the reigning world champion. “If I used to be blissful there, I wasn’t going to start out taking part in the sport of speaking to at least one producer or one other. We sat down with Ducati and reached an settlement immediately.”
Marquez has by no means hidden the emotional bond he nonetheless feels with Honda, the producer that gave him his MotoGP debut and with which he rewrote a lot of the championship’s document books, profitable six of his seven premier-class titles.
The Spaniard left Honda on the finish of 2023 after agreeing to terminate his contract a yr early, strolling away from a wage value round €20 million with a purpose to be a part of Gresini Racing on a Ducati with out pay. It was a call pushed by logic quite than emotion, as his attachment to Honda remained sturdy after greater than a decade with the manufacturing facility.
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“Going again to Honda would have been a really romantic transfer, and naturally it was one thing I wished,” Marquez admitted. “However I already take sufficient dangers on monitor. Generally you must make choices along with your head quite than your coronary heart, simply as I did after I determined to depart Honda. In the long run, it turned out to be the correct selection.”
Marc Marquez in 2018, alongside his pal and technical chief Santi Hernandez when he raced with Honda Staff
Marc Marquez in 2018, alongside his pal and technical chief Santi Hernandez when he raced with Honda Staff
As soon as Honda realised that re-signing one of the crucial profitable riders in its historical past was now not a practical chance, the corporate turned its consideration to Fabio Quartararo, convincing the Frenchman earlier this yr to spearhead its new undertaking constructed across the 850cc laws that can come into power in 2027.
MotoGP’s sweeping technical rule modifications for 2027 are anticipated to reset the aggressive order, probably opening the door for producers to shut the hole to the present frontrunners. Even so, Marquez believes Ducati and Aprilia will stay the benchmark.
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“I believe Ducati will nonetheless be the reference, along with Aprilia,” stated the rider from Cervera.
He additionally joked that neither he nor a number of of the championship’s main riders have been capable of extract most worth from negotiating new contracts forward of such a significant regulatory overhaul.
“The highest riders have not actually been capable of make the most of the scenario,” he smiled. “With a totally new set of laws, producers cannot assure they will have one of the best bike. What the groups do know is whether or not they have a great rider.”
In case you missed it:
Ducati publicizes Marc Marquez contract extension by means of 2028
Marc Marquez on Valentino Rossi-style conflict with Fabio di Giannantonio: “I settle for it and we hold quiet”
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