Jorge Martin has admitted he would “understand” if Ducati chose Marc Marquez for their 2025 factory team.
Martin acknowledged the “marketing” Marquez could bring to the Italian manufacturer.
Pramac's Martin and Gresini's Marquez are locked in a three-way battle for the 25-year standings with current Ducati factory rider Enea Bastianini.
Martin leads the MotoGP standings ahead of this weekend's French MotoGP Le Mans, with Marquez in sixth place. Still, he knows his prominent rival may be recognized.
“I understand,” Martin told Marca.
“He's Marc Marquez, the eight-time world champion.
“On a marketing level, he's a beast. I think you can understand that position.
“I am relieved that all the brands are waiting to see what happens.
“No matter what happens, you won't be left without a bike and you have good options.”
“Of course, we also have Enea who is back from injury. Marc, who is with Ducati.
“I think Bezzecchi was also involved.” [running]…Maybe not so much now.
“At the end of the day, we were runners-up in the championship last year, but now we’re the leaders and that’s it.”
Martin was overlooked as Bastianini was selected for promotion to Ducati's factory team at the end of 2022.
Bastianini's redshirt debut year was marred by injury, and Martin missed out on the title in the final race of 2023.
His absence meant he could not trigger a clause in his contract that would automatically allow him to replace Bastianini.
In the third year, the Pramac rider will be scrapped for a step up.
“I’m used to it,” he said.
“Even if I go, it's been the same for three years. I've been the same for three years.'' Even if other people go… so it doesn't matter to me.
“I am clear about my supervision, my environment, my options…
“I'm staying calm and it's clear that things are coming up because I've been behind for a while, but I'm hoping everything will figure itself out over the next two weeks.
“So I can't say anything until then.”
“Aprilia and KTM are winning on bikes…”
Ducati general manager Gigi Dall'Igna said at Le Mans that “history” will influence his big decisions, not just the 2024 result.
That hint could be interpreted as Marquez, a six-time MotoGP champion, having an advantage over Martin.
Martin insists he will quit Ducati completely if he misses out again.
“Right now, I'm not thinking about it,” he said.
“It could happen, a thousand things could happen…
“But I also consider myself riding an official Ducati.
“Right now I want to win, I want to win the race.
“My first choice is very clear. If I can't find that option, I will choose some other clear choice.
“My idea is always a winning bike or a winning project.
“The Aprilia is a winning bike. The KTM is a winning bike and has always been a winning bike.
“Certainly Honda and Yamaha will do so within a few years.
“For now, I want to win because I'm young.”
