Marc Marquez has become a central figure in MotoGP 2026 after his former Honda crew chief Santi Hernandez stated he does not expect a future reunion at Honda. The assessment comes as Marquez continues to stabilise his performance with Ducati despite ongoing physical limitations.
The Marquez-Hernandez partnership marked one of the most dominant eras in modern MotoGP. Together at Repsol Honda Team, they secured six world titles in seven seasons starting in 2013. That success was built on Honda’s aggressive RC213V concept and Marquez’s ability to exploit extreme front-end load under braking and corner entry.
The trajectory shifted following Marquez’s arm injury in 2020, which disrupted both rider consistency and Honda’s technical direction. The RC213V increasingly struggled with weight distribution and rear grip, affecting braking stability and corner exit performance. This contrasted with Ducati’s philosophy, which prioritises traction and aerodynamic balance.
“We built a very strong team from scratch, and that was something special. I saw Marc grow over the years.”
“What I take away is the friendship. That is more important than anything in a career.”
Since joining Gresini Racing, Marquez has adapted to the Desmosedici, benefiting from improved stability in acceleration phases and tyre management. This has reduced the crash risk that previously stemmed from front-end overload on the Honda package.
“I don’t see him going back to Honda. He’s happy at Ducati and has regained his confidence.”
The 2026 season remains a critical phase for Marquez following the shoulder injury sustained late in 2025. His performance is still in a consolidation phase, while rivals such as Yamaha and Honda continue to refine their technical packages. In this context, Ducati’s stability represents a clear competitive advantage.
With increasing physical demands and technical complexity in modern MotoGP, age and fitness are becoming decisive variables. Hernandez’s remarks underline that Marquez’s current priority is maximising his competitive window with Ducati, while the prospect of a Honda return appears increasingly unlikely within the current technical landscape.
Read Also
Alex Rins questions Yamaha decision after three MotoGP 2026 races, highlighting V4 performance and importance of competitive machinery.
Yamaha V4 is 30% different at Jerez MotoGP 2026 but still lacks competitiveness, highlighting front-end issues and development direction.
Luca Marini explains likely Suzuka 8 Hours absence due to ergonomic setup issues between riders of different heights.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!