Liberty could force Marc Marquez to do something he would absolutely hate after winning 2025 MotoGP title

Add as preferred source on Google

Marc Marquez has secured the 2025 MotoGP championship at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. It marks a historic comeback for the No.93 rider.

The Spaniard has dominated the 2025 campaign with Ducati, looking a shoo-in for the title in the early stages of the year. Marquez has been almost untouchable on the GP25, wrapping up the championship at Motegi with second place behind teammate Francesco Bagnaia.

It marks the 32-year-old’s ninth motorcycle Grand Prix title and his seventh in the premier class. How many he has collected is a contentious topic amid Liberty Media’s plans to separate MotoGP from the lower classes.

Fans were furious over Marquez’s total championships as Liberty only recognise his seven premier class titles. Whatever metric is used, Marquez has now equalled his nemesis Valentino Rossi.

It is an incredible comeback from the Ant of Cerveza after years of injury setbacks and uncertainty. Once again, the No.93 reigns supreme in MotoGP, but 2025 could be the last time that happens.

Liberty Media could force Marc Marquez to abandon No.93 and run with the No.1 plate after winning 2025 title

Liberty have huge plans behind the scenes as the new owners of the sport. MotoGP could join the F1 schedule, which would see a crossover between four-wheel and two-wheel racing.

But some proposed changes have been met with controversy, notably their stance on championships, as, like in F1, they plan to move MotoGP further away from Moto2 and Moto3.

According to a report from Motosprint, another planned proposal is the ‘removal of the iconic ‘ad personam’ plates. MotoGP riders have the choice of which number to use on their bikes, with the champion having the option to run with No.1.

As the report notes, rumours are suggesting that Liberty could force a rider, ‘like it or not’, to use the No.1 plate the following year after winning the championship. This would mean that Marquez would have no choice but to give up his iconic No.93.

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

Marc Marquez has never raced with No.1 in MotoGP and would hate the change – Ducati would support it

Ducati would be ‘happy’ to see the No.1 return to Borgo Panigale. They lost the plate after Jorge Martin took it with him to Aprilia following his 2024 triumph with Pramac.

However, Marquez would be ‘a little less’ pleased with Liberty’s proposed change. The Ant of Cerveza has always raced with the No.93 since his junior days and even kept it after winning his six titles with Honda (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

The Spaniard is not the only rider in history not to run the No.1 as a champion, as British rider Barry Sheene kept his No.7 after winning the 500cc title in 1976 and 1977.

Likewise, Marquez’s arch-rival Rossi never changed his No.46 throughout his career. Subsequently, the number became a huge part of his brand, similar to No.93 for the Ducati rider.

Liberty’s proposal would not be welcomed by Marquez. But according to rumours, he may have no choice but to accept it.