“Marc Marquez perceives the pressure he encounters at Gresini to be just as intense as at Honda, given that the satellite Ducati team shares the same ambition as its larger MotoGP counterpart.”
After an 11-year tenure with the Repsol Honda team, which saw him clinch six titles but no victories since 2021, Marquez made the move to Gresini this season with the aim of securing a more competitive Ducati bike.
The Italian, family-run outfit stands in stark contrast to the more corporate structure of Honda, providing a more congenial environment for Marquez to flourish in after a decade with a factory team. This shift has also resulted in fewer media and sponsorship obligations for the Spaniard, granting him more quality time away from the circuit with his family.
Acknowledging the operational variances between Gresini and Honda, Marquez nevertheless insists that the pressure to excel and deliver significant results remains just as high as it would in a full-fledged factory team.
“The pressure remains constant, as both riders and teams find happiness in podium finishes—this is the shared goal of the team,” he stated. “Standing on the podium is preferable to merely finishing in the top five, and winning a race surpasses standing on the podium. Therefore, maintaining a positive atmosphere and enjoying some banter doesn’t diminish the pressure or ambition we have.”
“The ambition matches that of a factory team because we’re here to compete for the best possible results. However, it’s undeniable that the team is smaller and more familial in its setup.”
“I always emphasize that a positive team atmosphere is incredibly beneficial. However, in the Repsol Honda team, the atmosphere was certainly positive as well.
“Yet, it’s undeniable that there are different cultures between Japanese, Italian, Spanish, and American teams. Every atmosphere can be conducive to success if the results follow.”
Marquez secured his first podium with Ducati at the Portuguese Grand Prix sprint race, charging from eighth to second place. However, a potential top-five finish in the main grand prix was thwarted following a contentious collision with his factory Ducati counterpart, Francesco Bagnaia. Although the incident was ruled a racing incident, Marquez placed blame on the double world champion.
In response to the incident, Ducati’s general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, labeled it as “very regrettable.”
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