In a stunning move, Ducati reversed its plan to elevate Jorge Martin to its factory MotoGP squad for 2025 in favour of Marc Marquez, demonstrating enormous strength from the eight-time world champion. This is what it cost Ducati and what it means moving ahead.
Marc Marquez – Gresini Racing Team
In just four days, Marc Marquez has knocked Ducati to its knees, infuriated incumbent double world champion Francesco Bagnaia and his coach Valentino Rossi, and redoubled his chances of winning the title to justify his choice over Jorge MartÃn.
As much as some in the paddock believed the Spaniard had lost influence as a result of his ordeal over the last four years, which included a badly broken arm at Jerez in 2020 and Honda’s waning competitiveness, the move that will see him wear red for the next two seasons confirms that he remains the championship’s cornerstone.
Marquez is the ideal product because he combines the elements that any brand wants to present to the globe. In his new stage on a Ducati that is not even the most recent specification at Gresini, he has demonstrated that on the track, he is the same as always, a competitive animal with enormous capacity.
Furthermore, when he comes off the bike, no one sells the world championship like the Catalan. Ducati could not pass up such an opportunity and went for him, even if it meant sending its cautious philosophy of developing fresh talent for a ride.
When considering the treatment of Jorge Martin, the offensive execution methods were not optimal. However, Ducati succumbed to a figure as near as Machiavelli, who stated that the aim justifies the means. Finally, the Borgo Panigale corporation has already locked up the multi-champion by signing a contract with a number of consequences that demonstrate #93’s power.
Despite the fact that he will not join the official workshop until next year, his inclusion in 2025 will undoubtedly have immediate consequences, maybe defining the present campaign.
In just four days, Marquez was able to sway the minds of Ducati management, who had devised a strategy to maintain him and Martin by promoting the latter and promising the former a factory bike at Pramac.
On the other hand, the only plan that worked perfectly was that of the boy from Cervera, who forced those in charge of the team that has won the last two championships to break the word they had given to current championship leader Martin after Marquez publicly refused to join the brand’s second team last Thursday, saying: “Pramac is not an option for me. I’m really relaxed about my future because I have three possibilities that I’m comfortable with.”
The Spaniard’s assertiveness alarmed Ducati executives, who were concerned that he may defect to a competitor brand, particularly Aprilia. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali arrived at Mugello on Saturday, and the red bike company’s priorities shifted dramatically: the only thing that mattered was getting Marquez’s autograph, which the company disclosed on Wednesday morning.
The signing extends considerably further than it appears. In the four days since Marquez said no to Pramac and Mauro Grassilli, Ducati’s sporting director, was forced to tell Martin that Ducati could not deliver on what he had promised him on Sunday afternoon, the former Honda rider accomplished far more than securing the best prototype on the grid for the next two years.
“We told Pecco, and he reacted like a champion. He sees it as wonderful motivation to keep improving as a rider.” Ducati
When the operation began, Pecco Bagnaia, the flagship of the ‘Reparto Corse’, simply requested that the person picked to inhabit the other side of his garage follow the “harmony” established in the squad. Given the nonsense Marquez has used to get his way, the two-time world champion is extremely inclined to believe that this will not be the case.
“We told Pecco, and he reacted like a champion. He sees it as excellent motivation to keep improving as a rider,” Ducati told Motorsport.com.
It’s also tough to imagine Valentino Rossi jumping for pleasure. For two reasons: with Marquez at Honda, the MotoGP legend’s championship inheritance was certain, as Bagnaia set the pace on the track, and the squad named after him, VR46 Racing, grew closer to Ducati.
In reality, it makes logical that if Pramac decides to go to Yamaha, the group managed by Uccio Salucci will assume his standing. But that’s not to mention the Tavullia’s concern that his opponent will add two more trophies to his ledger, surpassing his premier class record of seven.
But there is more. Marquez has urged Martin to sign with Aprilia in order to clinch the factory Ducati position. At this point, it is not surprising that Domenicali would be upset if the #89 rider claimed the Noale brand’s #1 plate next year, if he wins the title in 2024.
Marquez has not only eliminated a formidable opponent in his pursuit for championships in 2025 and 2026, but he has also significantly rattled Martin in the 2024 contest. Ducati does not want to lose a future world champion to a rival in 2025, therefore Marquez has promised that the Italian marque will spare no efforts to help him win his ninth grand prix title in total and seventh in the premier class to justify its decision to choose him over Martin.
