Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has been nothing short of dominant since joining the factory Ducati team in MotoGP, but the Italian constructor may not be able to afford an extension to his current contract due to financial constraints.
The 32-year-old took a gamble with his exit from Honda, sacrificing an astronomical salary to instead ride for free at Gresini ahead of the 2024 MotoGP season.
The main purpose behind the move was down to the fact that Marc Marquez needed to know if he still had what it takes to challenge at the top on a bike that was capable of doing just that.
He would go on to have a successful first season atop Italian machinery in 2024, before etching his name in history with the factory Ducati team in the following year.
However, the deal Marquez signed with Borgo Panigale midway through his stint with Gresini will expire at the end of the 2026 season, and his future at the team has been thrown into further doubt following the emergence of Ducati’s recent financial difficulties.
- READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia can make a new Ducati contract a ‘done deal’ before the 2026 MotoGP season starts
Marc Marquez on his Ducati future
Ducati are facing an issue with Marc Marquez’s contract extension for 2027
According to a report by Motorsport Espana, Ducati have significantly suffered financially in the sales of their road bikes to two key markets, the United States and China.
Donald Trump’s recent tariff policies on foreign exports have been ‘particularly damaging’, which has also affected Ducati’s owners, Audi.
Sales for the German car manufacturer dropped by 11.8% in 2024 from the year prior, leading the group to ‘implement’ a cost-cutting strategy, which will remain in effect through 2026.
With every Ducati rider’s deal expiring at the end of 2026, it certainly throws a number of spanners in the works for the calibre of contract that some may be looking for.
As the flag-bearer for the factory outfit, Marquez will likely be looking for the most substantial salary out of all the riders currently within the stable, but it may not be possible for Ducati to cater to every one of his demands.
Marquez has been linked with a move back to Honda in recent weeks, and if he is looking to be adequately compensated for his return to title-winning form, the Japanese constructor certainly has enough ‘financial muscle’ to be able to work something out with him.
- READ MORE: Marc Marquez keeps saying the same thing about his MotoGP future and Ducati should be concerned
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Marc Marquez’s salary details at Ducati for 2025 revealed
The report from the Spanish site also dived into the specifics of Marquez’s base salary, as well as some of the bonuses that he has claimed on his way to a seventh premier class title.
It states that whilst the exact figures are unknown, the Spaniard received a salary of three million euros in 2025, putting him in and around the midpoint of rider salaries across the whole grid.
Fabio Quartararo is understood to be the highest earner on the MotoGP grid, with his salary of around 10 million euros being a decent chunk of money more than the second-highest earner, Francesco Bagnaia.
However, Marquez’s performance-related bonuses have managed to equal things out. According to the report, the 32-year-old netted over two million euros through a clause linked to the 11 Grands Prix he won during 2025.
Another two million was also added to the balance sheet for Marquez’s title triumph, bringing his total earnings for the year somewhere around the mark of seven million euros.
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