Marc Marquez’s Shock Announcement Disrupts Ducati’s Plans as Jorge Martin Nears Factory Team Deal

Marc Marquez’s Shock Announcement Disrupts Ducati’s Plans as Jorge Martin Nears Factory Team Deal

In a surprising twist during the MotoGP silly season, six-time champion Marc Marquez has declared that he will not sign with Ducati’s leading satellite team, Pramac. This announcement, made just before the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, has thrown a wrench into Ducati’s carefully laid plans for their 2025 lineup.

Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Ducati had made its decision regarding who would partner with Pecco Bagnaia in the factory team starting in 2025. The favored candidate was Jorge Martin, but the deal was pending final contract details. Despite both Martin and Marquez claiming they were unaware of any final decision, Martin’s comments suggested a positive outlook on the potential move.

“For sure the deal is not done. It was a first contact and I think everything went well,” Martin told MotoGP.com. “Let’s see if we can put everything together and finally close this deal.”

Ducati’s strategy was to promote Martin to the factory team while hoping to bring Marquez on board with Pramac, thus extending their relationship with the Bolognese manufacturer until at least 2026. However, Marquez’s refusal to join Pramac has disrupted these plans significantly.

Marquez’s decision leaves Ducati scrambling to finalize their lineup for the upcoming seasons. The Spaniard’s choice to stay clear of Pramac could influence Ducati’s options, compelling them to reconsider other candidates for both their factory and satellite teams.

Martin, meanwhile, remains hopeful about his promotion to the factory team. The Spaniard has made no secret of his desire to join Ducati’s official ranks, especially after missing out to Enea Bastianini for the 2023 season. His optimism, despite the ongoing uncertainty, indicates a strong belief in his potential to secure the coveted position.

As MotoGP heads into a month-long summer break following the Italian Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Ducati to see how they navigate this unexpected turn of events. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Ducati’s 2025 preparations, with fans and insiders eagerly awaiting official confirmations and further developments.

Stay tuned as this story continues to unfold. Marc Marquez’s bold decision has undoubtedly shaken up the MotoGP landscape, and the repercussions of this announcement will be felt throughout the paddock as teams finalize their strategies for the future.