Marc Marquez, who recently clinched his ninth MotoGP world title during his first season with Ducati Lenovo, is expected to continue with the Italian factory amid upcoming changes in MotoGP regulations. However, contract discussions have been temporarily paused due to concerns about Marquez’s recovering shoulder injury, which sidelined him from October until February. Despite this, most terms of the renewal have reportedly been agreed upon.
Marquez explained the situation following the season opener in Buriram, Thailand:
“About the contract, Ducati and I both agree on most of the points,”
he said.
“But just as I said in the [Thai GP] press conference, I asked Ducati to wait a bit, to have that moment.”
Injury Recovery Influencing Contract Timing
The Spaniard emphasized that his physical condition remains a priority before finalizing any agreement, stating:
“Because I was injured when we started talking about the future. And first of all, I would like to feel well on the bike, and then of course, sign the contract.”
His cautious approach highlights the importance of full recovery before committing to the next season in the evolving 850cc/Pirelli era.
Strong Performance Despite Setbacks in Thailand
While Marquez was unable to replicate his dominant win from the previous year at the Buriram circuit, he still emerged as the highest-placed Ducati rider. He fought for victory in the Sprint race and was on track for a podium finish in the Grand Prix, before a wheel rim failure forced him to retire. Reflecting on the race, Marquez said:
“I’m looking forward to the next races because in Thailand we suffered a bit, but we were there, fighting for the podium. So this is the good news,”
showing optimism for his progress.
Focus on Physical Conditioning Ahead of Upcoming Races
With two weeks before the next round, Marquez is focused on improving his fitness further, particularly his shoulder condition, to enhance his race competitiveness. He shared:
“Now I have two weeks in front where I would like to do another step in my physical condition [with the shoulder], let’s see if I can. But yeah, I’m already starting to feel in a good way to fight [in the] races.”
Looking ahead, Marquez will compete at the inaugural MotoGP event in Goiania, Brazil, currently trailing the early championship leader and rumored future teammate Pedro Acosta by 23 points.
Implications for the Future of Marquez and Ducati
Marquez’s methodical approach to contract negotiations, balancing recovery with performance, signals a thoughtful strategy as MotoGP transitions to new technical regulations. His continued partnership with Ducati is crucial given his recent success and the team’s ambitions. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely how his physical condition evolves and how soon the contract extension will be finalized, influencing both Marquez’s career trajectory and Ducati’s championship prospects for 2027 and beyond.
