Marc Marquez has been linked with a move to KTM for some time but, over the Austrian MotoGP weekend, it felt like their relationship was growing closer.
Will Marquez stay at Honda next year?
“My intention is yes,” he said at Silverstone. Marquez’s current deal with Honda makes him the highest-paid MotoGP rider today, and runs until the end of 2024.
Did KTM try to change his mind?
KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer admitted he did try to lure Marquez for 2024.
“Unfortunately, I’m afraid that Marc will not be in our line-up next year because he has a contract,” he said. “We discussed it and he gave us a clear answer and that’s it.”
But what about 2025?
Marquez will be a free agent unless he signs a new Honda deal. This is where KTM could swoop.
“You are talking about 2025? The rumours for 2024 still haven’t finished,” Marquez said in Austria. “Every week there is a different rumour!”
But it’s more than a rumour now. We know KTM are interested, and believe they can offer Marquez a more competitive bike in 2025 than Honda.
Will Marquez be tempted by KTM?
He made his admiration for the manufacturer clear: “When KTM started they were last on the grid. Little by little, they have been getting closer.
“Now they are the second best constructor in the championship, but very soon, more than people might think, they will be first.
“In competition, the key is ambition. If you have ambition you will get there.”
What do KTM’s factory riders think?
Jack Miller said “of course it would” be good for KTM if they signed Marquez.
“If Marc were to come to KTM, it’d be fantastic for KTM to sign a big name like that. And again, it would mean that we are doing something right. Making this bike desirable enough for someone who has won eight world titles, to switch.”
Brad Binder reacted to Marquez’s praise of KTM: “I can definitely believe it. With the effort they put in, it’s incredible.”
Can KTM afford Marquez?
Marquez will be 32 in 2025, and six years on since his most recent MotoGP championship.
In that time he has suffered a plethora of damaging injuries.
This will be factored into Marquez’s value – but so will his brilliance, and the potential for him to deliver KTM’s first premier class title.
Red Bull may be the X-factor to get this deal over the line.
Can Honda still cling on to Marquez?
Time is running out to show evidence for the improvements that Marquez needs to see.
Yasuharu Watanabe, the HRC president, confirmed Honda won’t quit MotoGP and insisted: “We have no choice but to build fast bikes and machines that can win.
“Every time I go to the MotoGP site, I always have a long talk with Marc.
“We have to build and deliver the machine you want, and we’ll do it as soon as possible.”
Why don’t Ducati want Marquez?
They have regularly claimed that signing a 31-year-old who earns big money does not align with the strategy that put Ducati back on top of the MotoGP world.
They prefer to promote younger, hungry riders – which, clearly, worked with Francesco Bagnaia.
But the Pramac seat…
Where things become interesting is the unexpected vacancy at Pramac Racing, on a latest-spec Desmosedici.
The best bike on the 2024 grid has no confirmed rider, astonishingly.
Johann Zarco left it to join LCR Honda, and Marco Bezzecchi may stay at VR46 rather than join Pramac.
Can Ducati be tempted to ask Marquez?
Keyword: Marc Marquez to KTM? Inevitable or a rumour? Is Ducati possible?