Alex Marquez has established himself as one of MotoGP’s leading riders and is now aiming for a factory seat in 2027 after a career-defining 2025 season. At 30, the Gresini Ducati rider is widely viewed as being at the peak of his powers, having moved beyond comparisons with his older brother Marc to carve out his own identity at the front of the grid.
Marquez’s 2025 campaign marked a decisive shift in his career. Riding for Gresini Racing, he finished runner-up in the championship after claiming three Grand Prix victories, three Sprint wins, twelve podiums and a pole position. The consistency of his performances confirmed his status as a genuine title contender rather than a sporadic frontrunner.
His MotoGP journey has been shaped by early adversity. Marquez debuted in 2020 with the factory Honda team after replacing Jorge Lorenzo and was immediately placed under pressure when Marc Marquez was sidelined by injury. Despite the circumstances, he impressed as a rookie with two second-place finishes. A subsequent move to LCR Honda coincided with the manufacturer’s technical downturn, limiting his ability to progress.
Source: Autosports
The turning point came in 2023 when Marquez joined Gresini on a satellite Ducati through personal sponsorship. The move revitalised his career, allowing him to unlock his natural speed and confidence. That decision laid the foundation for his title challenge two seasons later.
Despite his on-track success, Marquez’s earnings have lagged behind his results. His reported salary stood at around MYR 1.8 million in 2024, with only a modest increase in 2025, well below the level typically associated with a championship runner-up. The gap has intensified his push for a factory contract.
With Ducati’s factory seats for 2027 effectively locked in, most notably by Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta, Alex Marquez is looking elsewhere. Yamaha and KTM have emerged as his primary targets. KTM offers a natural connection through his long-standing relationship with Red Bull, though concerns remain over the manufacturer’s financial stability. Yamaha presents a potentially stable long-term project but comes with strong competition for limited factory places.
Aprilia remains an alternative, although budget constraints could see them prioritise other riders such as Enea Bastianini. A return to Honda is considered unlikely given the manufacturer’s ongoing struggles and Marquez’s desire for immediate competitiveness.
If a factory deal does not materialise, Marquez retains a strong fallback option at Gresini Racing, the team that reignited his career. However, his ambition is clear. Having proven he can compete consistently at the front, Alex Marquez is determined to translate performance into factory backing, making his 2027 prospects one of the most closely watched storylines in the MotoGP rider market.
