Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s split with Honda ended on relatively good terms, but the Spaniard faced an ‘extremely difficult’ decision before he set his exit in stone.
Marc Marquez and Honda formed one of the most formidable partnerships that MotoGP has ever seen upon his arrival to the premier class in 2013.
The Spaniard immediately made an impact on MotoGP machinery, securing a podium in his very first race.
Marquez would then claim his maiden win in the following round, becoming the youngest ever race winner in the category at just 20 years and 63 days old.
He would go on to claim the title in his rookie season, and after his first seven seasons in the premier class, he was already a six-time MotoGP champion with Honda.
Marc Marquez on Honda in 2023
Marc Marquez reveals the three reasons that made his decision to leave Honda ‘extremely difficult’
In the latest episode of a DAZN docuseries that details behind-the-scenes moments from Marquez’s injury hell to his seventh premier class title, the Spaniard revealed three factors that made his exit from Honda ‘extremely difficult’.
He said, “For me, making this decision was extremely difficult. The most complicated part, above all, was my commitment to Honda.
“I was in the best team in the world, with the most beautiful bike, and the situation was under control, being the best Honda.
“It was very easy to say that we are developing the bike, next year, little by little. But no, I’m not like that.
“The second point was the sponsors, both Repsol and Red Bull. The third and most fundamental point was leaving my friends.
“I’m leaving my friends, but they showed me above all that they are my friends because when we had the talk, if they were selfish, they would have told me to stay. And they might have convinced me, but they spoke to me as friends.”
In the end, Marc Marquez’s tenure at Honda ended on good terms
After the Ant of Cervera’s switch from Honda to Ducati machinery with their satellite team, Gresini Racing, was confirmed, Marquez gave a heartfelt speech at the Japanese constructor’s factory in which he expressed his gratitude for the years of success that he had enjoyed.
The main reason for the move was that Marquez needed to know if he was still competitive after years of enduring an injury nightmare.
Ducati had the dominant bike at the time, and his brother, Alex Marquez, was already leading the charge there, so the move came naturally for him.
Honda boss Alberto Puig understood Marc’s wishes, and there were ‘no hard feelings’ between the two parties upon the confirmation that he would be departing.
The fact that he is still remembered fondly within the Asaka-based constructor may bode well for a potential return to Honda in the future.
Marquez has yet to confirm his future with Ducati, meaning that the upcoming 2027 regulatory overhaul could see him make a move back to his original team.
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