Sources close to Marc Marquez share how he’d really feel about Pedro Acosta joining Ducati

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Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta could soon be going head-to-head on Ducati motorcycles. There are growing doubts over the latter’s future at KTM.

Acosta has been strongly linked with VR46, Ducati’s second-in-command team. They currently have access to one current-spec bike, ridden by Fabio di Giannantonio.

The latest reports suggest VR46 are ahead of Honda in the race to sign the Spaniard. Acosta established himself as the next MotoGP superstar in a spectacular rookie season where he scored five podiums and a pole position.

However, he’s only 11th in the championship after the first four races of 2025. He’s yet to finish inside the top six despite some standout qualifying performances.

Marc Marquez would relish the chance to face Pedro Acosta at Ducati

On the early evidence, Marquez seems to have Francesco Bagnaia covered. He outclassed him at the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend, even though history suggested it would be a Bagnaia track.

None of the satellite riders look like they can beat the six-time champion either, but Acosta has been called the new Marquez. He may not like that nickname, but it reflects his potential.

According to journalist Mela Chercoles, who was speaking to Acosta on Nico Abad’s YouTube channel, Marquez wants the youngster to join the Ducati stable.

Chercoles has spoken to sources close to the #93 rider, who relishes the prospect of fighting Acosta ‘with the same weapons’. As such, he wouldn’t try and use his influence to push back on the signing.

“I found out this weekend that there’s a guy who wouldn’t put any obstacles in your way to joining Ducati at any given moment, a guy who would in fact like to see you on a Ducati so that you could fight him hand-to-hand with the same weapons – Marc Marquez,” Chercoles said.

“He hasn’t told me directly. But I know from those around him that he wouldn’t put any obstacles in your way to joining Ducati one day.”

How much will it cost to buy Pedro Acosta out of his KTM contract?

Intriguingly, VR46 owner Valentino Rossi sees Acosta as the anti-Marquez. He believes the Shark of Mazarron can beat his old rival’s records, which adds another dimension to the prospective rivalry.

One possible stumbling block is the money required to make a deal happen. Acosta’s KTM contract runs until the end of next year.

KTM missed a deadline to ‘lock in’ Acosta for 2026, but any suitor would still be required to buy out his deal. As a satellite team, VR46 may need help to cover the cost.

Indeed, it’s thought that Acosta’s buyout fee stands at around £4.3m. That looks far more affordable for a giant brand like Honda, who could look to enjoy another spell of dominance with a Spanish rider.