Márquez's contract with Ducati has still not been renewed: "It was a bit more difficult than the first contract."

In a context of profound regulatory change MotoGP Next season, Marc Márquez's future is still expected to be with Ferrari. While the Spaniard is clearly the priority at Borgo Panigale, the official announcement is taking longer than expected, even as the contract market for 2027 is already heating up.

Davide Tardozzi, the Ducati team manager, makes no secret of it. We are looking to try and renew the world champion. he asserted during the presentation of the 2026 livery. The renewal was a little more difficult than the first contract, says Mauro Grassilli, the team's sporting director, to Moto.it. We slightly underestimated [certain elements] in the initial contract, which is taking us a little longer than expected. But here too, we're on the right track; we're very close. We haven't reached our goal yet, but I hope it won't be much longer. "For his part, the native of Cervera also confirms that the negotiations are progressing well."

With the largest budget on the grid, Ducati can attract the most talented riders. In terms of remuneration, Marc Márquez, who achieved 15 podium finishes including 11 wins for his team in 2025, will receive a larger share than his teammate. Our budgetary strategy is the one we have always had, Mauro Grassilli explains. We certainly have a slightly higher percentage for the driver who achieves the best results. As a company very mindful of costs, we have to respect these dynamics and, above all, respect the figures we've allocated. That's the real challenge: trying to recruit the best drivers with a budget that's certainly not what other manufacturers offer. »

Back in the saddle after months of recovery following his crash at the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix, Marc Márquez set the fastest time on the first day of joint testing at Sepang (Malaysia), held from February 3rd to 5th. Márquez is doing well; he's doing what we hoped he would. We still have a few days ahead of us, and then a whole season. It was a gamble; last year, we won it—he was perfect. This year, we hope to be satisfied. »

The reigning MotoGP world champion will return to the track during the tests scheduled in Buriram (Thailand) on February 21 and 22 before the official start of the season scheduled for March 1 on the same circuit… perhaps with a new contract in hand?

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