Carlo Pernat says Ducati didn’t stay true to their ‘brand’ by signing Marc Marquez

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Marc Marquez’s promotion from Gresini to the factory Ducati team was divisive at the time. But now nobody in MotoGP can question it.

Marquez got the seat at the expense of Jorge Martin, the championship leader. Martin went on to win the title, but he left the Ducati stable altogether for a factory ride at Aprilia.

Replaced rider Enea Bastianini was surprised by the signing of Marquez. But he concedes that the Spaniard has emphatically silenced the doubters.

Marquez is (once again) producing one of the most dominant campaigns in the sport’s history. He has won eight of the first 12 races, including the last five on the bounce, to build a 120-point championship lead.

Carlo Pernat says Ducati ‘upended’ their tradition of ‘developing’ champions

Speaking to MOW, veteran MotoGP manager Carlo Pernat admitted that he ‘criticised’ the Marquez move at the time. He had a vested interest as Bastianini’s representative.

Pernat says Ducati built a brand out of ‘developing’ their own champions. Francesco Bagnaia spent two years aboard a satellite Pramac before stepping up to the official team and winning the 2022 and 2023 titles.

It’s ‘impossible’ to question Luigi Dall’Igna and co. in light of the outcome. There’s a suspicion, though, that Ducati signed Marquez to stop him snatching the title elsewhere.

Indeed, while they’re still unquestionably the fastest team on the grid, Marco Bezzecchi is fourth in the championship and climbing. It’s not out of the question that Marquez could have mounted a challenge on rival machinery.

“I myself criticised that move, and I won’t deny it, because it essentially upended the history of a brand that had long been developing its own champions,” said Pernat. “But given the results Marquez is achieving, it’s impossible to say it wasn’t the right move.

“Just as it’s wrong to say that Ducati has that style and is abandoning Pecco. They’ve always helped everyone; just look at the second chances they gave to Jack Miller, Andrea Dovizioso himself, or even Enea Bastianini between 2023 and 2024.”

One of Francesco Bagnaia’s biggest 2025 problems may be permanent thanks to Marc Marquez

According to Johann Zarco, Dall’Igna is the linchpin of Ducati’s dominance. Honda won’t be back on top until they outfox him.

But Marquez has relentlessly proven that he can take a bike to unique heights. He has more podiums than the other two GP25 riders – Bagnaia and Fabio di Giannantonio – combined (10 vs nine).

Amidst their delight over Marquez’s form, Ducati are said to be ‘distressed’ about Bagnaia. There’s a growing frustration over his discomfort on this year’s Desmosedici.

Even if he regains form next year, some fear that Bagnaia will never regain the standing he had at the Borgo Panigale team before Marquez arrived. Both riders are under contract until the end of 2026.