Marc Marquez Takes a Subtle Dig at Lewis Hamilton While Warning of Rising Young Stars

      Marc Marquez Draws Icy Parallels Between Himself and the Hamilton Hype Train

Marc Marquez’s highly anticipated move to Ducati for the 2025 MotoGP season has sparked comparisons with Lewis Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari in the upcoming Formula 1 campaign. Both riders are joining iconic red teams, but Marquez remains cautious about the narrative tying them together.

“I wouldn’t make such a comparison,” Marquez told *Sky Sport Italy*. “We are both experienced, but young riders are arriving who push and go fast. You could say the only similarity is that we’re both red—Ducati and Ferrari.”

The timing of their moves is striking, with Marquez unveiling his Ducati Lenovo Team gear on the same day Hamilton walked into Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. However, Marquez’s familiarity with Ducati runs deeper, having tested one of their bikes as part of Gresini Racing in late 2023.

Now settling into Ducati’s factory team, Marquez says the relationship is progressing smoothly. “Everything is precise,” he said. “Of course, you can’t compare people you’ve worked with for 10 years to those you’ve known for just three months, but I’m very happy. Last year with Gresini was perfect, and now the factory team is the next step. When you’re on the reference team with the right bike, it’s all in your hands.”

   Bagnaia: The Benchmark
While Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is a proven race winner, Marquez’s new teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, is a three-time MotoGP World Champion and arguably the most dominant rider of recent years.

“Pecco [Bagnaia] will definitely be in front,” Marquez admitted. “He’s won two World Championships in the last four years and finished second twice. He fought until the end every time. He’s the reference since he finished second last year. I’m the second reference in the garage because I finished third.”

Marquez isn’t looking to undermine Bagnaia but understands the natural tension that may arise as the season progresses. Despite their competitive natures, he values their current dynamic.

“It’s beautiful,” Marquez said of their relationship. “When you’re 20, you don’t think the same way as when you’re 32. You’re more mature and approach things differently. On the track, we both want to win, but the goal is clear. If one of us doesn’t win, the other has to—for the Riders’, Constructors’, and Teams’ Championships.”

For now, Marquez is focused on adapting to his new environment, but as the season unfolds, the rivalry with Bagnaia may well take center stage.