Ducati's Dominance Faces New Challenges with Márquez Renewal Talks

After Marc Márquez’s impressive debut season with Ducati, the Italian manufacturer is now entering complex negotiations to extend his contract, a stark contrast to the straightforward deal that brought him to the team initially.

Ducati’s strategic approach has not only secured the last four MotoGP titles but has also made the Bologna-based team a coveted destination for top riders, willing to make significant concessions for a chance to ride one of the six available Desmosedici machines.

Márquez’s move to Ducati was particularly notable. He forfeited the final year of his contract with Honda, which included over €20 million, to race with Gresini in 2024. He essentially raced for free to gain access to the Ducati prototype he desired.

His rivalry with Jorge Martín for a spot on the factory team in 2025 highlighted Márquez’s strategic planning.

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Márquez’s initial signing with Ducati, finalized shortly after last year’s Italian Grand Prix, was relatively uncomplicated for the manufacturer. He joined the team alongside Francesco Bagnaia, who was, on paper, the project’s leader.

While the exact figures of Márquez’s contract remain undisclosed, sources suggest his base salary as an official Ducati rider was around €3 million, lower than expected. This was reportedly supplemented by substantial performance-based bonuses. His 11 victories before an injury in Indonesia earned him over €2 million in bonuses.

Additionally, he was slated to receive approximately €2 million for winning the championship. This substantial amount reflected his on-track dominance and solidified his position as a key figure for Ducati and the championship overall.

Now, with Bagnaia facing uncertainties, Ducati finds itself negotiating with Márquez, whose market value has returned to the level it was during his dominant years with Honda. This shift gives Márquez a stronger negotiating position.

Initial discussions between Márquez and Ducati occurred before the Asian tour, preceding the title celebrations in Japan. Further meetings likely took place in Valencia, continuing efforts to reach a final agreement. However, the impact of Márquez’s arm injury, which sidelined him for the final four races of the season, remains a factor in the negotiations.

While Márquez has expressed a desire to remain with Ducati until at least 2028, this sentiment is reciprocated by the manufacturer, which views retaining Márquez as a top priority. Consequently, the decision regarding his teammate has become secondary, especially given Bagnaia’s inconsistent performance.

Ducati’s financial situation presents a challenge. Unlike Honda or Yamaha, Ducati’s financial resources are more constrained, particularly with declining exports to key markets like the United States and China. The recent tariff policies imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump have further exacerbated the situation.

Moreover, Audi, Ducati’s parent company, experienced an 11.8% drop in sales in 2024 compared to 2023. This led the Audi Group, part of the larger Volkswagen Group, to implement budget containment measures for this year, which will remain in effect in 2026, coinciding with the contract negotiations for the 2027-2028 cycle.

These financial constraints create a different negotiation environment compared to a year and a half ago, when Márquez accepted Ducati’s terms with little resistance. With his performance validating his gamble, Márquez is now in a position to leverage his value.

"Every piece has to be in its place, and it’s only fair that it be so. We will sit down to manage the situation in the best possible way," said Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s general manager, in a statement to Motorsport.com.

While Márquez is expected to renew his contract, his decision will likely influence the selection of his teammate. Bagnaia has stated his intentions clearly: "My intention, if I can, is to renew and retire at Ducati," he said repeatedly during the final races of what he described as his worst MotoGP season.

However, two key factors must align for Bagnaia to achieve this goal. First, he needs to improve his performance significantly. Second, he must be willing to lower his financial demands. If these conditions are not met, numerous riders are ready to take his place.

Team and Rider Background

Ducati: The Ducati Team has been a dominant force in MotoGP, securing the Constructors’ Championship in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. They have also won the Team Championship in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Francesco Bagnaia won the Riders’ Championship in 2022 and 2023.
Francesco Bagnaia: The Italian rider has been with Ducati since 2019, first with the Pramac Racing team and then with the factory team since 2021. He secured his first MotoGP title in 2022 and defended it in 2023, establishing himself as a key figure for Ducati.
Marc Márquez: The Spanish rider joined Ducati in 2024 after a long and successful career with Honda. He won six MotoGP World Championships with Honda (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019). His move to Ducati marked a significant shift in his career, seeking to revitalize his competitiveness.
Jorge Martín: Riding for Pramac Racing, a satellite team for Ducati, Martín has consistently challenged for top positions, proving himself a formidable competitor within the Ducati ecosystem.

Financial Context

The economic landscape of MotoGP is heavily influenced by the financial health of the manufacturers involved. For Ducati, the challenges in key markets like the U.S. and China, combined with the financial performance of its parent company Audi, create a complex financial environment for contract negotiations. The budget containment measures imposed by the Audi Group will likely impact Ducati’s financial flexibility in the coming years.

Injury Impact

Marc Márquez’s arm injury, which caused him to miss the final four races of the season, adds another layer of complexity to the contract negotiations. While Márquez has demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level, his physical condition remains a factor for both the rider and the team.

Future Prospects

As Ducati navigates these complex contract negotiations, the outcome will not only determine the team’s rider lineup but also shape its competitive strategy for the upcoming seasons. The decisions made in the coming months will have a lasting impact on Ducati’s position in MotoGP.