Marc Marquez MotoGP challenges reached a critical point during the 2023 season, as the celebrated champion faced unprecedented struggles while riding for Honda. In a year marked by hardship and disappointment, the Spanish rider and his crew chief, Santi Hernandez, experienced difficult moments that ultimately led to a major turning point in Marquez’s storied career.
Struggles Following a Devastating Injury
Marc Marquez, a seven-time world champion, had built a remarkable legacy with Honda, securing six premier class titles in just seven years alongside his trusted crew chief, Santi Hernandez. Their dominance was interrupted in 2020, however, when Marquez suffered a serious arm injury that drastically altered the course of his career. Over the following two years, Marquez underwent four significant surgeries, with hopes that each operation would restore him to championship form. The physical and mental toll weighed heavily on the athlete, and 2023 brought particular frustrations as recovery did not translate to results on the track.
The 2023 Season: Mounting Pressures and Setbacks
Despite his determined return, Marquez struggled to regain his former strength. The Honda machinery in 2023 failed to meet expectations, leaving Marquez unable to compete at his usual level. During the German Grand Prix, a race he once dominated, he endured five crashes and ultimately withdrew before the start, highlighting just how far things had deteriorated. These episodes were a manifestation of a deeper struggle that neither the champion nor his long-time team could foresee.
In a revealing DAZN documentary about his 2025 title win, Santi Hernandez reflected on their lowest moments from that difficult year.
“Logically, in 2023, when he returns, having undergone another operation, another recovery, and getting back on the bike, the results don’t come back… Before, he would still say, ‘My arm isn’t right, it must be my arm,”
Santi Hernandez, Crew Chief
Amid repeated setbacks, doubts crept into Marquez’s mind regarding his abilities and his future in the sport. He questioned whether his time had passed, and whether it was finally time to end what had been a historic tenure as a competitor.
As Hernandez further described,
“These are moments when you see Marc hit rock bottom.”
Santi Hernandez, Crew Chief
A New Chapter with Ducati After Leaving Honda
Recognizing that the challenges with Honda showed no signs of abating, Marquez made the difficult decision to leave HRC a year earlier than planned, signing with the Gresini Ducati squad for the 2024 season. This marked the end of an era, but it also set the stage for Marquez’s extraordinary comeback. In 2025, competing on the factory Ducati, Marquez not only reclaimed his premier-class dominance but also won his first world title in six years, capping the season with 11 grand prix victories and 14 sprint wins.
Legacy and Moving Forward
Despite the trials of 2023, Marquez managed to maintain a strong relationship with his former Honda colleagues. When he secured his 2025 world championship in Japan, he celebrated with Joan Mir and other members of his old crew, sharing a poignant moment in parc ferme. The arduous journey—from devastating injury and self-doubt to ultimate redemption—has not only defined Marquez’s character as a racer but also stands as a testament to the challenges at the highest levels of MotoGP racing.
The story of Marc Marquez MotoGP challenges during his final Honda season will be remembered as a period of adversity, introspection, and eventual renewal. As he continues his career with Ducati, his resilience and ability to overcome setbacks ensure he remains a dominant figure in the sport’s history.
