Alex Marquez is targeting a factory ride for the 2027 MotoGP season, but his chances of securing one with Ducati appear slim, according to veteran rider manager Carlo Pernat.
Marquez will race with factory-spec machinery in 2026 after enjoying the strongest season of his MotoGP career with Gresini. The Spaniard claimed his first three premier-class victories and finished runner-up in the championship behind his brother Marc Marquez, underlining his progress at the Italian satellite squad.
Gresini has provided Alex Marquez with a stable environment and competitive tools, and he is understood to be happy within the team. However, with several contracts expiring at the end of 2026, he has made no secret of his ambition to step into a full factory role.
Speculation has linked him to a potential move to Ducati’s works team in 2027, but that scenario looks increasingly unlikely. Marc Marquez is expected to extend his stay with Ducati, while the manufacturer is also believed to be closing in on Pedro Acosta from KTM, further limiting available seats.
Speaking to MOW, Pernat suggested Alex Marquez’s path to a red Ducati is effectively blocked unless his brother decides to retire. Discussing KTM’s future and the Acosta situation, Pernat said the Austrian manufacturer’s long-term stability remains unclear, despite optimistic signals.
He believes KTM may already be on the verge of losing Acosta unless the bike proves to be significantly superior, which he views as unrealistic. While Maverick Viñales remains a key figure in KTM’s plans, Pernat suggested Alex Marquez could be an attractive target for the factory, given his performances.
However, he added that Ducati’s factory line-up is already heavily crowded. With only two works bikes available, existing agreements, interest in young talents, and Marc Marquez firmly in place, Pernat sees just one realistic scenario in which Alex Marquez could join the factory Ducati team.
In his view, that would only happen if Marc Marquez steps away from MotoGP. Otherwise, Alex Marquez may need to wait several more seasons or explore opportunities with another manufacturer to achieve his factory-team ambitions.
