Marc Marquez has opened up about the emotional and professional weight behind his decision to leave Honda and join Ducati. While the switch has brought success on the track — with Marquez dominating the 2025 season so far, winning seven of the first eight races — the journey wasn’t simple.
Leaving Honda meant breaking one of the most lucrative contracts in MotoGP history and parting ways with longtime sponsors like Red Bull and Repsol. Despite reportedly turning down a nine-figure offer, Marquez insists the financial aspect wasn’t the toughest part.
“It was a huge responsibility and an incredibly hard decision,” he told Motorsport. “Money matters — for everyone it does — but that wasn’t the most difficult thing.”
While acknowledging the wealth he amassed during his time with Honda, Marquez stressed that the emotional toll of leaving behind his team and relationships was heavier.
“The hardest thing was the relationships,” he admitted. “I wanted to stay loyal to the people who helped build my career.”
Before making the move, Marquez had honest conversations with Honda, Red Bull, and Repsol. “Around 80% of the advice I got was: ‘You’re here to compete. Sometimes you need to make tough choices. If your mechanics are truly your friends, they’ll still be your friends.’”
A farewell dinner in Barcelona sealed it. “We didn’t talk about bikes — we just talked about life, as friends.”
That support helped him realize it was time to prioritize his career: “They reminded me this is a 15- or 20-year journey. I had to make the most of it.”
Though he would’ve preferred to stay with the same team and people, Marquez felt he wasn’t enjoying racing anymore — and knew he needed a change.
Joining Gresini Racing last year reignited his passion after a rough 2023 season with multiple crashes. Now, on factory Ducati machinery, he’s found a new level — leaving teammate Pecco Bagnaia struggling to keep up.
Meanwhile, Honda has also shown signs of recovery, but Marquez’s gamble has clearly paid off — both in performance and personal satisfaction.
