Marco Bezzecchi
Mick Doohan believes Marc Marquez will not “worry” about Pedro Acosta becoming his Ducati teammate in 2027, but sharing the garage will be “difficult” for them both.
Acosta is widely expected to leave KTM when his contract expires at the end of this year and replace Francesco Bagnaia in the factory Ducati team. The Borgo Panigale outfit are believed to have swooped to get Acosta after Bagnaia only finished fifth in the 2025 riders’ standings.
It is believed that Acosta will sign a two-year contract with Ducati, who even hope to agree a new two-year deal with Marquez ahead of his contract expiring in 2026. Marquez is pushing Ducati to agree to a 1+1-year contract owing to his shoulder injury and the 2027 regulations.
Marquez is reluctant to accept Ducati’s offer of a new two-year contract through 2028, as he does not want to lock himself down just to then struggle in 2027. The 33-year-old is thought to be cautious about his injury and the possibility that Ducati struggle under the 850cc rules.
Have Ducati been too reliant on Marc Marquez to develop their bike?
Pedro Acosta’s desire to ‘beat the old guy’ will be ‘tough’ for Marc Marquez
Doohan does not believe that Marquez is concerned about whichever rider Ducati may field next to him, amid the suggestions that Acosta is due to join from KTM. He believes Marquez wants to beat everyone, so he would feel the same if someone like Marco Bezzecchi arrived.
READ MORE: Every MotoGP record that Marc Marquez can break during the 2026 season
Five-time 500cc champion Doohan does, however, think Acosta and Marquez will be a tough test for each other if they, indeed, share the Ducati garage next term. The two Spaniards will want to emerge as the top dog in red, when Acosta will also want to dethrone the old guard.
Doohan told MARCA: “I can say that, as a rider, whether in my era or Marc Marquez’s, Marc is focused on himself. Doesn’t Ducati want to have the best riders on their team or with their bikes? Acosta has incredible talent. What he’s doing with the KTM is amazing.
“It will be difficult for both of them. They’re both Spanish and incredibly talented. Marc won’t be young anymore, and you have the young guy gaining experience, who’s incredibly fast and wants to beat the old guy, which is Marc.
“Similarly, Marc doesn’t want to be beaten by the young guy. But if [Acosta] becomes a Ducati rider, that wouldn’t matter. If Bezzecchi got on that bike, it would be the same.
“As a rider, to win a race or the world championship, you have to beat everyone, including your teammate. The best riders don’t care who their teammate is… The teammate is the one who has to worry more about winning than the one who is already established.”
What is your dream MotoGP title fight? 🆚
Pick any two riders, past or present!
Acosta will likely face the same situation upon his expected arrival at Ducati in 2027 as what greeted Marquez when he stepped up from Gresini in 2025, by entering a team built around the current incumbent. Ducati were firmly Bagnaia’s team before Marquez changed the tide.
Yet Livio Suppo thinks Acosta can “rejuvenate” Marquez’s career in the same way that Jorge Lorenzo brought Valentino Rossi’s “fighting spirit” back out upon joining Yamaha. So, while Lorenzo questions whether Marquez and Acosta will be a “dream team”, it can be beneficial.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
