Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez’s Honda exit marked a break-up of one of the most successful rider/team pairings in MotoGP history, but that didn’t stop the Japanese constructor from wishing the very best for him at his new racing outfit.
Upon the arrival of Marc Marquez in the premier class with the factory Honda team in 2013, the sport experienced a level of domination that hadn’t been seen since Valentino Rossi’s heyday in the previous decade.
Marquez ended up winning his first MotoGP title during his rookie campaign and went on to become a six-time world champion after just seven seasons in the premier class.
In the end, the only thing that could stop him from rewriting the history books into the 2020s was his own aggressive riding style, and three years of an injury nightmare ensued.
At the end of those three years, Marquez had to know if he was still competitive or not, and the calibre of Honda’s prototype at the time simply wasn’t good enough for him.
He made the swap to Ducati machinery for 2024, and finally added another title to his collection upon his move to the factory outfit of the Italian constructor one year later.
When do you think Marc Marquez will retire from MotoGP?
Davide Tardozzi reveals the advice that Honda gave him ahead of Marc Marquez’s arrival at Ducati
During an interview with MOW on the ski slopes of the Madonna di Campiglio, Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi detailed the one piece of advice that he received from Honda ahead of Marquez’s arrival in Borgo Panigale.
He said, “There was this exchange, a suggestion from them, from someone very close to Marc, whom Marc trusts and has always trusted.
“He gave me one piece of advice: he said, ‘Always remind Marc to keep his brain switched on’, but in a positive way.
“He really told me that because he cares about Marc and loves him. It’s true, so I’m glad I took that advice and put it into practice from time to time.”
Despite Honda’s sponsors making Marquez’s exit difficult, the Spaniard departed from the Japanese constructor on good terms.
Leadership figures within the team validated Marquez’s reasoning behind his departure, and it has been suggested that they would welcome him back with open arms if he does opt to return in the future.
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Marc Marquez’s return to Honda doesn’t look like it’s happening in 2027
With the regulatory overhaul that is scheduled for the 2027 season, Marquez has been touted for a return to Honda due to his current deal with Ducati expiring at the end of the upcoming term.
However, a recent report has suggested that Ducati ‘finalised’ a new deal with Marquez during their season launch event last week.
An official announcement is to be expected before the MotoGP season-opener in Thailand at the beginning of March, and it is understood that the new deal will most likely see him continue to ride in red until the end of 2028.
A return to Honda could potentially come following the expiration of his new deal. It would certainly be a fairytale ending for the Spaniard to end his career with Honda, following the illustrious record they shared together.
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