As speculation swirls around the possibility of a blockbuster Marc Marquez–Pedro Acosta pairing at the Ducati factory MotoGP team in 2027, five-time world champion Mick Doohan believes the six-time premier class title winner won’t be bothered by who lines up alongside him.
“There hasn’t been an official announcement, and I can’t comment on rumours, but I can say that, as a rider, whether in my era or Marc Marquez’s, Marc is focused on himself,” Doohan told Marca.com.
Doohan, who dominated the 500cc class in the 1990s, emphasized that the best riders are always focused on beating the entire field—including their own teammates. “To win a race or the World Championship, you have to beat everyone, including your team-mate. The best riders don’t care who their team-mate is. The same is true in F1; Verstappen isn’t worried about who his team-mate is. The [incoming] team-mate is the one who has to worry more about winning than the one who is already established.”
Marquez has maintained a consistent philosophy regarding teammate selection, insisting he doesn’t get involved in those decisions. Throughout his career, he’s been paired with fellow MotoGP champions Jorge Lorenzo and Joan Mir at Repsol Honda and is currently partnered with double champion Pecco Bagnaia at Ducati. Despite strong competitors alongside him, Marquez has largely maintained the upper hand.
Should Acosta, the exciting young Spanish talent currently impressing with KTM, join Ducati, Doohan expects a fierce but respectful rivalry. “Acosta has incredible talent. What he’s doing with the KTM is amazing. It will be difficult for both of them. They’re both Spanish and incredibly talented. Marc won’t be young anymore, and you have the young guy gaining experience who’s incredibly fast and wants to beat the old guy, which is Marc. Similarly, Marc doesn’t want to be beaten by the young guy.”
Doohan also noted that the dynamic would be similar regardless of which rising star Ducati might sign, citing Marco Bezzecchi as another example. For now, Acosta sits third in the world championship, with Marquez fifth after Ducati’s challenging start to 2026. Pecco Bagnaia is expected to move to Aprilia alongside current points leader Marco Bezzecchi.
In MotoGP’s ever-evolving rider market, one thing remains constant: for champions like Marquez, the focus is always on themselves—and beating everyone else, teammate included.
