"Ducati didn’t need Marc Marquez": Pirro claims the champion needed Bologna as 2027 rules shake-up looms

Marc Marquez has written an extraordinary chapter in MotoGP history, winning his first world title with Ducati. The 32-year-old from Cervera racked up 25 victories in 2025, 14 in Sprints and 11 in Grands Prix, taking the world throne with five races to spare. An undisputed triumph, a chasm behind him, despite the progress made by Aprilia and KTM.

The Marc Marquez plus Ducati pairing seems unshakable, but things could soon change with the introduction of new rules from 2027. New tires, new engines, leveled aerodynamics, bikes completely different from the current ones. It will be a new challenge for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and its superstar—assuming they reach an agreement to renew his contract...

The historic test rider Michele Pirro will work on the new prototype, and he may also take on managerial roles at Ducati. The rider from Apulia took stock of the latest MotoGP season. "Marc hasn’t changed our working method and there’s no risk of developing the bike according to his instructions. In fact, the base of the bike, 90–95%, is immovable. Then there’s the 5% that can be customized: there are things you can choose to use or not. But the base, if it works, is always the same. There’s only 5% customization based on riding style," he explains in an interview with Fanpage.it.

Michele Pirro argues that it was Marc Marquez who needed Ducati, not the other way around. Naturally, this is backed by a solid pillar: the previous three titles had already been secured by the Bologna-based manufacturer. Pecco Bagnaia won in 2022 and 2023 and, subsequently, Jorge Martín managed to dethrone the Piedmontese rider in 2024. "I’d like to remind everyone that the last three world championships were won by Ducati with different riders. Moreover, it wasn’t Ducati that needed Marc Marquez to win: it was the opposite."

On the other hand, Pirro also comments on Pecco Bagnaia’s disappointing MotoGP season, finishing fifth in the final standings with just two wins. "The bike is a winner, as the results show. Unfortunately, there are seasons when a rider can’t optimize all the work: it can happen. The important thing is to look ahead, understand what the mistakes were, and try to fix them."