Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati star Marc Marquez has explained why he opted not to make a ‘very romantic’ return to Honda.
Last week, it was announced that Marquez had signed a new deal with Ducati, keeping him at the team until the end of the 2028 MotoGP campaign.
The 33-year-old will also have a new teammate, with Pedro Acosta replacing Francesco Bagnaia from next year.
Over the weekend, Marquez would have wanted to celebrate his new contract with a win at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen.
However, it was a tough weekend for the seven-time MotoGP world champion as he finished seventh, with Ai Ogura winning the Dutch Grand Prix ahead of Raul Fernandez and Jorge Martin.
Ai Ogura wins his first MotoGP race at Assen! 🏆 What was your biggest takeaway from the Dutch Grand Prix?
Marc Marquez admits he held an ‘informal conversation’ with Honda
Prior to signing his new deal with Ducati, it was reported that Marquez held talks with Honda about a potential return.
The Spaniard represented Honda from 2013 to 2023, where he won six of his seven premier class titles.
Speaking recently about the matter, Marquez admitted that it would have been ‘very romantic’ to return to his old team.
However, he also stated that there was never a ‘formal’ conversation as he always had eyes for Ducati.
As reported by Spanish news outlet Marca, Marquez told DAZN: “Honda is Honda, and I know a lot of people there. There was never a formal meeting because I wanted to hear what Ducati had to say first.
“If Ducati had made an offer I was comfortable with—on terms that made me feel respected—then there would have been no reason to switch.
“So, there was an informal conversation, but I stated right then that I wanted to listen to Ducati first. We hit it off with Ducati from the very start, and that was the most important thing.
“It would have been a very romantic story, truth be told. But romance belongs more to the world of movies. Obviously, it was a romantic notion, and I certainly had a strong desire to do it.
“But I take enough risks on the track as it is. Sometimes you have to make decisions with your head, not your heart—just as I did with my last decision, which turned out well,” declares the nine-time world champion.”
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If Marquez had chosen to return to Honda, it would likely have impacted Acosta’s future also.
It was previously reported that Acosta was ready to sign for Honda if Marquez made a return to the Japanese manufacturer.
However, a move never materialised, and the pair are now set to link up in Ducati red from 2027.
The 2026 MotoGP season will resume in July with the German Grand Prix, taking place around the Sachsenring.
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