Marc Marquez is wary of ‘unbearable’ scenario if he signs a two-year Ducati contract

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Marc Marquez has no interest in committing to another multi-year deal at Ducati if his on-track fortunes don’t improve. Doubts over his future beyond 2026 continue to linger.

After a dominant title win in 2025, Marquez’s Ducati extension was expected to be the first order of business in the MotoGP rider market. But a week into April, there’s still no sign of an agreement.

The chances of a renewal are still very high, but Marquez has said that he won’t sign while he’s injured and he still doesn’t appear to be 100% fit, having missed the last four races of 2025 after shoulder surgery.

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Why Marc Marquez still hasn’t signed a new deal at Ducati

According to Speedweek, Ducati boss Luigi Dall’Igna is ready to close negotiations with Marquez immediately, but the seven-time MotoGP champion is still hesitating.

Ducati are sticking with their traditional policy of ‘insisting’ on a two-year deal, but Marquez doesn’t want to race beyond 2027 if he can’t score consistent podiums. He finds that idea ‘unbearable’.

The Spaniard hasn’t finished in the top three so far this year in a Grand Prix, though he did win the Brazil Sprint. Ducati appear to have been leapfrogged by Aprilia, while Marquez has been outperformed by VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio.

• READ MORE: Marc Marquez tells Davide Tardozzi ‘I’m struggling’ in raw Ducati garage footage

Already content with his achievements in MotoGP, Marquez doesn’t want to ‘torture himself’ through another season unnecessarily. That’s why retirement can’t be ruled out, even if the chances are still remote.

If Marquez improves physically and Ducati improve mechanically after the break, then his misgivings may be addressed.

What would Ducati actually do if Marc Marquez retired?

Ducati are signing Pedro Acosta from KTM, though that deal is also pending confirmation. It may go through when the teams finalise the new commercial agreement.

If Marquez was to unexpectedly walk away, Ducati would likely turn to Fermin Aldeguer to fill the seat next to Acosta. Aldeguer is moving to VR46 but the needs of the factory team would take precedence.

The 2025 Rookie of the Year is already the obvious successor when Marquez retires. Nicolo Bulega, the World Superbikes title favourite and Ducati test rider, could be offered to Valentino Rossi as a consolation.