Ducati have already chosen their ‘preferred option’ for 2027 if Marc Marquez leaves, and it’s not Pedro Acosta

Add as preferred source on Google

Marc Marquez is dominating the 2025 MotoGP season and is on the cusp of winning the title, but Ducati will not pretend he is certain to stay for the 850cc rules in 2027.

The Bologna Bullets welcomed Marquez to Borgo Panigale at the start of this year and have not regretted their decision to promote the Spaniard from Gresini over signing Jorge Martin. Ducati have already seen Marquez win 10 Grands Prix and 13 Sprint Races in just 14 rounds.

Marquez also heads into the Catalan GP with a 175-point lead over his brother, Gresini rider Alex Marquez. If the Cervera native outscores his brother by at least 10 points in Montmelo, he can win the 2025 title at Misano by leaving next week’s San Marino GP 222 points ahead.

Yet with MotoGP overhauling the regulations for 2027, Ducati are not resting on their laurels that Marquez will extend his stay beyond next year. Marquez joined Ducati on a £10m a year contract through 2026, but it is not safe to assume he will stay into the era of 850cc bikes.

Ducati mark Fabio Quartararo as their ‘preferred’ 2027 replacement for Marc Marquez

Marquez could leave Ducati at the end of his contract if he believes a rival team can give him a more competitive bike for the start of the 850cc regulations. The Spaniard could even hold the keys to the MotoGP rider market for 2027, with rivals forced to wait for Marquez to sign.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend

KTM rider Pedro Acosta would, no doubt, jump at the chance to replace Marquez, as the 21-year-old has not hidden his desire to ride a Ducati this season. Yet MotoMatters reports that Ducati’s ‘preferred option’ to replace Marquez in 2027 would be Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo.

It would remain to be seen if Ducati could convince Quartararo to leave Yamaha, if Marquez decides to jump ship as he has any doubts about the Borgo Panigale crew’s 850cc bike. The Frenchman is also out of contract after the 2026 campaign, but he will want a winning bike.

Ducati also have questions about who will pilot their other bike in the 2027 MotoGP season, with Francesco Bagnaia out of contract at the end of next term, as well. Should Marquez opt to stay, Ducati might look to groom his eventual heir, which may or may not let Bagnaia stay.

Marc Marquez leaving Ducati could make Fabio Quartararo or Pedro Acosta question joining

The MotoGP rider market will be a hive of activity next year, especially if Marquez decides to leave Ducati at the expiration of his contract. Marquez, Bagnaia, Quartararo and also Acosta will all have to sort their futures out, as each of their current contracts will expire after 2026.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats

Acosta tried to get out of his contract at KTM for 2026 while a spot at VR46 was open next year. But it became evident that the Spaniard will honour his contract for the Austrian outfit before VR46 signed Franco Morbidelli to a one-year contract extension for the 2026 season.

Also, Quartararo has warned Yamaha that he will not be afraid to leave the Iwata natives at the end of his contract if he does not see signs of progress from the Japanese crew with the development of their V4 engine. So, Ducati could have their pick of replacements next year.

Yet Marquez leaving Ducati ahead of the 850cc regulations would be a worrying sign for his opinion of their bike for the new rules, which also remove ride height and holeshot devices. Quartararo, or Acosta at KTM, could then have to decide if he sees growth in Yamaha’s bike.