Alex Márquez Eyes Factory MotoGP Future Beyond Ducati

Breakthrough Season Signals Career Turning Point

The Gresini Ducati rider enjoyed a standout year in 2025, finishing runner-up in the championship and firmly stepping out of the long shadow cast by his older brother, Marc Márquez. Across the season, Alex claimed three grand prix victories, added three Sprint wins, stood on the podium twelve times and secured his first MotoGP pole position, a body of work that has significantly elevated his standing within the paddock.

Now approaching his 30th birthday in April, Márquez is acutely aware that opportunities for factory rides are limited, particularly at this stage of a rider’s career. His recent performances have sparked interest from multiple manufacturers outside Ducati’s structure, prompting discussions about a potential move once his current deal expires.

From Honda Struggles To Ducati Success

Márquez’s MotoGP journey has been far from straightforward. He entered the premier class in 2020 with the factory Honda team following Jorge Lorenzo’s sudden retirement, a baptism of fire made tougher by Marc Márquez’s season-ending injury. Despite limited support and pressure-filled circumstances, Alex still managed two second-place finishes in his rookie year.

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A move to Honda’s LCR satellite team followed, but the manufacturer’s technical struggles hindered his progress. It was not until his switch to Gresini Racing in 2023 that his career trajectory shifted decisively. Riding Ducati machinery and backed by personal sponsorship, Márquez rediscovered form and confidence, eventually becoming one of the grid’s most consistent front-runners.

Yamaha And KTM Lead The Chase

Yamaha and KTM have emerged as Márquez’s primary targets for 2027, while Aprilia is viewed as a secondary option. A return to Honda, at least for now, appears unlikely. KTM presents an appealing prospect given Márquez’s long-standing relationship with Red Bull, but ongoing financial instability within the Austrian brand has raised questions about its short-term future. As a result, Yamaha is widely regarded as the most realistic destination, although competition for a factory seat there is expected to be fierce, with riders such as Francesco Bagnaia also linked to potential openings.

Aprilia, operating with a comparatively smaller budget, is believed to be prioritising Enea Bastianini after failing to secure clarity on Bagnaia’s future.

Even if a factory move does not materialise, Márquez is not without options. His relationship with Gresini Racing remains strong, and the team where he has enjoyed the best results of his MotoGP career would be open to extending that partnership beyond 2026. For now, he finds himself at a pivotal crossroads, armed with momentum, experience and proven race-winning pedigree, as he looks to secure the factory opportunity his performances suggest he has earned.