Marc Marquez: "I'm at Ducati because of Dall'Igna"

In his first interview following the news he’d become Pecco Bagnaia’s Ducati Lenovo Team teammate in 2025, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) sat down on Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’ show to chat about his upcoming switch to Bologna factory red.

Speaking to the Spanish radio station the same day he’d signed the contract, Marquez spoke candidly about a range of topics surrounding the huge announcement.

“Obviously the announcement... I'll tell you, I don't know if I can say it, this morning at 8 o'clock I signed the contract,” shared the eight-time World Champion, with the news made public less than three hours after that.

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The conversation moves onto the #93 explaining that challenging for the title in 2025 is a must, and how his plan to rise back to the top is currently working out well after the difficult decision was made to leave Repsol Honda at the end of 2023.

“Next year we will have to fight for the title. This year I made a very important decision, which was to leave the Repsol Honda Team, the team of my life. The emotional burden was hard, but I did it thinking about sports and my career, and that was looking for results so that motivation would return.

“You have to give it courage and desire because you expose yourself to everything, to criticism and praise, when you get on. I wanted to do it because otherwise my racing career would not have lasted much longer. After the injury I had been without results for four years and it is difficult to maintain confidence and motivation no matter how hard you are mentally. I have a plan in my head and so far it's going well.”

A big talking point surrounding Ducati’s much talked about decision was the loud murmurings that Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) had been offered the seat prior to the Italian GP. By Monday, we learned Martin would be joining Aprilia Racing in 2025, paving the way for Marquez to be promoted into the factory line-up.

“For me nothing has happened. Nothing has happened in our environment,” explained Marquez. “From the first moment they told us at Ducati that they were undecided, because they had two riders, and even Bastianini, but they would wait for Mugello. They were going to be guided by the results, like everything else... and this came to me on Sunday night."

The Spaniard also explains why he came on Thursday at Mugello and expressed that joining Prima Pramac Racing – on a latest-spec Ducati – wasn’t an option for him in 2025.

“At all times I have been very clear and I have not gone away from my idea. From the first conversations I made it clear, to be in a satellite team I would stay with Gresini, which is the family that has given me the opportunity to rejuvenate. The most important thing in a negotiation, whatever the type, is to be sincere and not change your idea.”

Marquez also explains his close relationship with Ducati Corse General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna. The 31-year-old goes as far as saying that he’s at Ducati because of the Italian.

“With Gigi we have had a very direct and sincere relationship, and I am at Ducati because of him. He is the engineer who has won everything with what he’s touched. The first thing I told him is if he was staying at Ducati in 2025 and 2026. You will feel the Ducati colours when you are inside and wear the red suit, but you can't do it before you wear it. Before you enter, you look. Sports and performance. According to him, they have been guided by my progression and the capacity for improvement that they see.”

To read or watch the full interview with Marc Marquez, head over to the link above.