Marc Marquez’s longtime crew chief Santi Hernandez has expressed doubt that the two will ever reunite at Honda, despite the deep bond forged over years of MotoGP success. In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Hernandez reflected on their journey, saying, “We built a really great team, starting from scratch. We laughed a lot; he was one of us. I watched Marc grow up.”
Their partnership, which began in Moto2 and flourished in MotoGP with Honda from 2013, yielded six world titles in seven years. However, when Marquez left Honda for Gresini Ducati in 2024, he was unable to bring Hernandez along, largely due to contract terms and the nature of his single-year deal at the time.
Hernandez emphasized that the most valuable takeaway from their collaboration is the friendship they share: “The day will come when he retires, the day will come when I retire, and that friendship will remain.”
With Marquez reportedly close to signing a new long-term deal to remain with Ducati’s factory team through 2027, speculation has persisted over a possible future return to Honda. Hernandez, however, is skeptical: “I don’t think so. He’s at Ducati, he’s happy, he’s found his smile again.”
Marquez’s 2026 season has been overshadowed by the lingering effects of a serious shoulder injury sustained at the 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix, fueling questions about his longevity in MotoGP. On Marquez’s future, Hernandez commented, “I don’t see Marc racing until he’s 40.”
As Marquez looks to extend his success at Ducati, it appears the legendary rider and his former right-hand man are unlikely to reunite at Honda, but their enduring friendship remains a highlight of their storied careers.
