Marc Marquez explains delay in signing new Ducati MotoGP contract

Marc Marquez has clarified rumours that term has been the sticking point between himself and Ducati signing a new MotoGP contract, explaining that his physical condition has been a factor.

After dominating the 2025 campaign with Ducati to win his seventh world title, it seemed a formality that Marc Marquez would remain in the brand’s factory colours for 2027.

Rumours surfaced over the winter that a deal was already agreed, though there has been a delay in any announcement, which led to further reports of both parties not seeing eye to eye on the term of the new contract.

Marquez has now clarified why there has been a delay, explaining that he has been reticent to commit to Ducati’s preferred two-year contract term until he has seen enough recovery in the shoulder he injured last October.

“We are working on it with Ducati, but the ideal for them is two years because, if not, you are in the middle of nowhere [between contract cycles],” he said on Saturday at the Buriram test.

“But at the moment, the most important thing for me was to start the pre-season feeling better and better.

“I feel a small step, but a step, between Malaysia test and here.

“So, let’s see if I feel better with my physical condition, and if I feel like today, where I felt a small step in my shoulder, and tomorrow another one, it will not be a problem for me to sign a two-year contract.

“It’s [the injury] my biggest limitation. It’s what I learned: when you are injured, you cannot make any decisions and sign any contracts.

“It’s true that somebody will do it, because if you have the contract there, even if you are injured, [you need to make a decision].

“But first of all for me, it was trying to understand how my new injury was.

“It’s coming in a good way, still some job to do. So, for that reason, we are working with Ducati in a good way too.”

Marquez reveals cause of Buriram test crashes

The reigning world champion ended Saturday’s running at the Buriram test second overall, but suffered two crashes.

He said the first was down to him running over slippery white lines on the circuit, while the second was because of a loss of concentration having battled a stomach illness all day.

“When I got up, I saw that it would be a difficult day, because I had a stomach problem,” he explained.

“And then I started the day in the worst way possible with that crash in the last turn in the second lap, where I touched the white lines.

“Then everybody realised how slippery the white lines were; it was something to do with the paint.

“Then, step-by-step, we got rubber there and it got better and better.

“The second crash was my mistake, lack of focus. The fact I was super tired today with the stomach problems, I was not focused enough. Then in the afternoon I came back with energy.”