Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has already signed a new contract with Ducati through 2028, yet it has not been confirmed because of the five factories’ ongoing negotiations with MotoGP.
The Spaniard’s future in Borgo Panigale has been a huge topic of discussion this year, as he is due to be out of contract after the 2026 season. Marquez has also endured a difficult time in 2026, having entered the year while still recovering from his surgery on a shoulder injury.
Only now, after a four-week break without a round, does Marquez appear content about his fitness levels. The 33-year-old said on Thursday at Jerez that he thinks he is in a “good way to perform” at the Spanish GP, having yet to take a single Grand Prix podium so far this year.
Marquez’s recovery from the shoulder injury he suffered last October has also fuelled claims that he has been considering retiring at the end of 2026. It has even been said that Marquez has pushed Ducati for a 1+1-year contract, in case they struggle under the 2027 regulations.
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Marc Marquez has signed a new contract through 2028, but Ducati will not announce it
But AS now reports that Marquez has in fact already signed his new contract with Ducati for not only the 2027 MotoGP season, but also for 2028. The Cervera native is even believed to have signed his new contract during the Sepang pre-season test between February 3 and 5.
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Ducati can confirm Marquez’s new contract ‘whenever they want’, as well, but have chosen against announcing his renewal at this stage. The Borgo Panigale brand have agreed to hold off on confirming their 2027 line-up due to an ‘administrative silence’ from the five factories.
The Bologna Bullets and their rival factory teams in Aprilia, Honda, KTM and Yamaha are still discussing their collective economic contract with MotoGP that will cover the next five-year period from 2027. Until that deal is done, MotoGP teams are loath to announce their riders.
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Only Aprilia, Honda and Yamaha have to date confirmed any riders for 2027. Aprilia revealed in February that Marco Bezzecchi agreed to a new contract through 2028, while Honda have Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira locked down and Yamaha have Toprak Razgatlioglu tied up.
Marquez, meanwhile, falls into a category that includes his expected 2027 Ducati teammate Pedro Acosta, in that he has agreed or even signed a contract for next year that his team will not announce. It is widely believed that KTM star Acosta has signed for Ducati through 2028.
The belief that Marquez has already signed a new contract with Ducati through 2028 should also dispel any suggestions that he could yet return to Honda. Some in the paddock still feel Marquez could return to Honda in 2027, given next season sees the arrival of 850cc engines.
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