Marquez Stays With Ducati
Ducati Secures Marc Marquez Until 2028, Kicking Off 850cc Era With Seven-Time Champion
Key Points
Ducati publicly confirmed Marc Marquez's contract through 2028 after MotoGP's new collective commercial deal with the five manufacturers was finalised, with the official announcement delayed until Brno to align with the 2027-31 agreement.
Ducati's promotion of Marquez to the factory squad for 2025 effectively left Jorge Martin without a factory ride after his 2024 Pramac title, illustrating the cost of the move at the time.
Marquez's 2025 season was a standout, delivering 14 Sprint wins and 11 Grand Prix wins en route to his seventh premier-class title, with Ducati recording its 100th MotoGP win (and Marquez's 100th win across all classes) during the year.
Marquez has emphasized his commitment and belief in the Ducati project, with quotes framing the renewal as a natural fit after a highly successful first year in red, reinforcing trust and a long-term plan.
Honda reportedly offered Marquez around £17.5 million to return for 2027-28, highlighting the competitive market for his services even as Ducati prepared to lock him in for the 850cc era.
Marc Marquez will race for Ducati through 2028, the factory confirmed on June 23, 2026. The deal locks in the reigning champion for the start of MotoGP's 850cc era, ending months of speculation over a possible return to Honda. Reuters reported the announcement came on the same day Marquez cut his 2026 championship deficit to 40 points after winning at Brno.
The timing was no accident. Ducati waited until the five MotoGP manufacturers signed a landmark commercial agreement with the sport's governing body for 2027–2031 before going public. The Race reported that a wave of rider announcements had been held back by that negotiation for months.
From Honda Exile to Ducati's Cornerstone Rider
Marquez's journey to this contract started with a split. In October 2023, he and Honda ended their partnership a year early. He joined satellite team Gresini Ducati for 2024. Ducati then promoted him to the full factory team for 2025, a move that pushed 2024 champion Jorge Martin out the door and toward Aprilia. The Race described it as Ducati choosing Marquez's "performance ceiling" over loyalty to existing riders.
The gamble paid off fast. In 2025, Marquez won 11 Grand Prix races and 14 Sprint races, claiming his seventh premier-class title at the Japanese Grand Prix with five rounds to spare. His 541-point total set an all-time record under the Sprint format, according to MotoGP.com. Ducati also recorded its 100th factory win at the Hungarian Grand Prix in June 2026 — the same race where Marquez hit 100 career victories.
Honda's £17.5 Million Offer Wasn't Enough
Marquez did not come cheap to keep. Honda reportedly offered him around £17.5 million per year — nearly double his estimated Ducati salary — to return for the 850cc era, according to reports cited in paddock media. The offer reflected how much his value has grown. Ducati's team sponsorship valuations have reportedly risen 25% since his 2025 title.
Marquez chose to stay. "I am red," he said in a statement. "With this renewal, they have reaffirmed their commitment, respecting my times and giving me the peace of mind needed." Gamereactor noted the deal also follows Marquez's recovery from a serious fall and fracture, his seventh major surgery on his right arm, which he underwent during the 2025–26 winter break.
850cc Regulations Make Marquez Even More Valuable
In 2027, MotoGP cuts engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc. The new rules also ban ride-height devices and introduce spec fuel and Pirelli tires. Regulatory resets like this can shake up the grid. Ducati wants its best rider developing the new bike from day one. Gigi Dall'Igna, Ducati's chief engineer, framed the move as an engineering decision: the 850cc era is too risky to enter without a proven benchmark rider.
Pedro Acosta, currently at KTM, is widely reported to join Marquez at the factory team in 2027. The Race has linked the pairing to the departure of two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia, who reportedly signed with Aprilia after rejecting a salary cut. Some paddock analysts see losing Bagnaia to a direct rival as a risk. Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi currently leads the 2026 standings, 40 points clear of Marquez.
A Flurry of Announcements Still to Come
With Marquez confirmed, the rest of the 2027 rider market is now expected to move quickly. The Race reported that Fabio Quartararo is heavily linked to a return to Honda, while Jorge Martin remains the most sought-after free agent for other manufacturers. The six-month freeze caused by the commercial deal negotiations had left riders and teams in limbo since late 2025.
Head Topics noted that Ducati's extension also aligns with the launch of its 2027 street-bike range, tying Marquez's on-track presence directly to the brand's commercial rollout. For Ducati, this is not just a sporting decision. It is a business strategy built for the next era.
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