Marco Bezzecchi
Honda’s hopes of re-signing Marc Marquez have officially been dashed with the news that he has extended his deal at Ducati.
It was announced on Tuesday morning that Marquez will stay at Ducati for another two years, as had been widely expected. The delay was mostly down to the protracted negotiations over the sport’s new commercial agreement, which were finally finalised before Brno.
One report in February claimed that Honda made a ‘last-ditch’ offer to Marquez worth around €20m (£17.2m), but even that salary wasn’t enough.
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Experts think Marc Marquez has now signed his last MotoGP deal
While the MotoGP regulations are changing for 2027, giving Honda the opportunity to re-enter the victory fight, Marquez chose the safe option of staying with Ducati after his dominant 2025 title win. He may yet go back-to-back this year, having slashed Marco Bezzecchi’s lead to 40 points.
Marquez will be 35 when his new deal expires and, according to El Periodico, ‘many believe’ this will be his last MotoGP contract. On that basis, it seems he is of a mind to retire as a Ducati rider, rather than make a fairytale return to Honda.
He is looking to overtake Valentino Rossi as the most successful rider of the modern era, and he now has two and a half seasons to do so. They are currently tied on nine titles, while Rossi is still 14 wins ahead.
Nothing is guaranteed. As reported by Motorsport, it is ‘very likely’ that one or both parties have the option to terminate the new deal in the event of ‘unforeseen circumstances’, most likely another injury.
Marquez recently missed the main race at Le Mans and the entire Catalan Grand Prix weekend after undergoing surgery for the ninth time since 2019.
On the other hand, Rossi continued racing until he was 42, so a further extension shouldn’t be ruled out entirely, even if it’s unlikely.
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