Ducati explains Marc Marquez signing after past rejection

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali reveals why the team changed course and signed Marc Marquez despite previous denials.

Marc Marquez during the Argentina MotoGP race at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo, Rio Hondo, Argentina, on March 16, 2025. Photo by Gold & Goose/LAT Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

When Marc Marquez was still under contract with Honda, battling injuries and struggling with form, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali was firm in his stance—Ducati would not sign him.

In June 2023, Domenicali made it clear that Ducati was committed to its own young riders and had no reason to bring in the eight-time world champion. “It’s not the right thing for us,” he told Sky Italia. At the time, Ducati was focused on Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, and other rising talents within its program.

However, just weeks after that statement, Marquez made a bold move by joining Gresini Racing, a Ducati satellite team, for the 2024 season. His strong performances with Gresini forced Ducati to reconsider. By mid-2024, Ducati had reshaped its factory lineup, letting go of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi to make room for Marquez in 2025.

Now, Domenicali admits the decision to sign Marquez was a well-thought-out move, based on his performance in 2024.

“If we have Marc with us now, it is because we made a carefully considered choice,” Domenicali told GPOne. “We did it, also thinking about the overall performance we can achieve.”

Marquez’s ability to adapt quickly to Ducati machinery in 2024 played a crucial role in the decision. After years of struggles with Honda, he proved he could still compete at the highest level when given the right equipment. Ducati saw this as an opportunity too big to ignore.

Marquez’s impact on Ducati’s factory team

Ducati’s strategy in recent years focused on nurturing young talent, but the arrival of Marquez marked a shift in philosophy. The team moved away from long-term development projects and instead prioritized securing a proven champion.

This change has already yielded results. Since making his Ducati factory debut in 2025, Marquez has been in dominant form, winning the first two rounds in Thailand and Argentina. He leads the standings with a perfect record, leaving no doubt that Ducati made the right choice.

However, his arrival has also created complications. Bagnaia, the two-time world champion who brought Ducati back to MotoGP glory in 2022 and 2023, now has to share the spotlight. Ducati also lost key talents like Martin, Bezzecchi, and Enea Bastianini, who moved on after being overlooked in favor of Marquez.

The pressure is now on Bagnaia to respond. While Marquez has adapted seamlessly, Bagnaia has struggled, finishing third in Thailand and fourth in Argentina. He currently sits third in the standings, 31 points behind his new teammate.

Ducati confident in Bagnaia’s comeback

Francesco Bagnaia celebrates with Claudio Domenicali (right) on the podium after the Catalunya MotoGP race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain, on May 26, 2024. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

Despite Marquez’s early dominance, Ducati remains confident that Bagnaia will recover. Domenicali believes the two opening races were simply not suited to Bagnaia’s strengths.

“I think Pecco started with two races that were not his favorites,” Domenicali said. “He finished the winter training with some problems that were not up to him, so we didn’t see his real potential.”

Ducati expects Bagnaia to improve as the season progresses. Domenicali pointed to upcoming races, particularly in Qatar, as potential turning points for the reigning champion.

The next test comes this weekend at the Grand Prix of the Americas, a circuit where Marquez has historically been dominant. Bagnaia, meanwhile, is still searching for his best form. If he fails to close the gap, Ducati may find itself in a difficult situation—supporting a fierce title battle between its two top riders.

A season-defining showdown

The 2025 MotoGP season is already shaping up to be one of the most intense in Ducati’s history. Marquez’s signing was controversial, but his immediate success is proving Ducati right. Meanwhile, Bagnaia faces the biggest challenge of his career—defending his title against a revitalized Marquez on equal machinery.

The battle continues at the Circuit of the Americas. Will Marquez extend his perfect record, or will Bagnaia finally strike back? The next chapter of this Ducati rivalry is about to unfold.