Ducati is at the moment deciding which rider to position alongside Bagnaia in 2025, as Enea Bastianini’s two-year contract is because of expire on the finish of the season.
It has the choice of extending its take care of Bastianini, selling final 12 months’s runner-up Jorge Martin from Pramac, or signing Marquez and forming an all-star manufacturing facility group.
Some insiders have questioned if Bagnaia would desire a rider with the status and success of Marquez at Ducati’s works outfit, because it might be detrimental to the concord of the group and jeopardise his personal no 1 standing on the Italian marque.
However talking forward of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, Bagnaia made it clear that he had no choice between any of the trio, quashing recommendations about him being averse to Ducati hiring Marquez.
“In these [last few] days, I noticed a video saying I do not need Marc on the manufacturing facility group, however it’s bullshit,” he mentioned.
“I do not care. I simply need to beat all of them, attempt to be all the time the very best and preserve going like this. I haven’t got a choice, truthfully.
“I’m working nicely with Enea. I do know completely the kind of work we’re approaching, and if the group adjustments the team-mate we’ve to start out once more. However in any case, my ambition is all the time to be stronger than them.”
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
Martin completed runner-up to Bagnaia in 2023 and leads the standings this 12 months forward of Le Mans after winnng the Portuguese Grand Prix and scoring dash wins in Qatar and Spain.
Having beforehand said publicly that there’s nothing extra he may do to persuade Ducati he’s deserving of a manufacturing facility experience, Martin reiterated {that a} promotion from Pramac could be the pure subsequent step for him.
“From my aspect, I am actually joyful the place I’m however the pure place of the Ducati household, the place I began and grew up throughout all my profession in MotoGP, the pure transfer shall be to go to the manufacturing facility Ducati group,” he mentioned.
“I used to be actually shut in ’22, final season was once more until the final race. It is my objective to reach there, I hope I can obtain it very shortly, but when not let’s have a look at what occurs.”
Marquez’s speedy adaptation to the Ducati GP23 with the satellite tv for pc Gresini group has made him a contender to associate Bagnaia subsequent 12 months, with the Spaniard’s pace and PR worth an asset for any producer.
Whereas Marquez was coy about his possibilities of touchdown a Ducati experience subsequent 12 months, he made it clear that he would want a manufacturing facility seat to be able to goal for a seventh title within the premier class.
“I arrived right here in a really particular scenario and now, step-by-step, I really feel higher on the race observe, I really feel stronger and far more assured, and this was my goal of this 12 months.
“Clearly 2025, ’26, if I proceed in that manner it could be a distinct goal, and the goal could be to battle for the championship.
“For that motive, if you wish to battle for the championship it’s worthwhile to have the most recent materials in your bike to have extra possibilities.
“However going sooner on the race observe I might have extra choices for my future. And if I’ve the prospect I’ll resolve the very best.”
