Ducati are facing huge pressure ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season as seven-time world champion Marc Marquez has issued an ultimatum that could change the future of the team. Marquez, who has been vocal in his support for his younger brother Alex Marquez, has reportedly threatened to leave the Ducati team if his brother is not given a seat to replace reigning world champion Pecco Bagnaia.

The close relationship between the Marquez brothers has been well documented throughout their careers, with Marc often seen as a mentor to Alex. However, the younger Marquez has struggled to find consistency in recent seasons, leading some to question his place among MotoGP’s elite riders. Marc, however, has been unwavering in his belief that Alex deserves a seat at the top level, and his latest comments indicate that he will not tolerate the status quo if Ducati does not act in favour of his brother.

Marc Marquez’s warning comes at a time when Ducati continues to dominate the MotoGP circuit, with Bagnaia enjoying significant success. However, the Italian team’s continued success is now threatened by the prospect of losing the support of one of the sport’s biggest stars, Marc Marquez. Sources close to the situation suggest that the tension surrounding this decision could have a profound impact on Ducati’s future strategy and rider line-up for the coming years.

If Ducati decides to replace Bagnaia with Alex Marquez, it could trigger a series of changes in the paddock, with teams scrambling to fill the void left by such a high-profile change. For Ducati, the stakes are incredibly high. Not only does the team risk distancing itself from one of the biggest names in the sport, it could also risk upsetting the strong team dynamic that has yielded multiple championships in recent seasons.

The 2026 season is still a few years away, but Ducati is under increasing pressure to make crucial decisions that will not only affect its line-up, but also its reputation as one of the best teams in MotoGP. The eyes of the entire MotoGP community will be on Ducati in the coming months as they weigh up their options and decide the fate of one of the most intriguing family rivalries in the sport.

As the countdown to 2026 continues, the future of the Márquez brothers in MotoGP remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Ducati’s next move will have long-lasting consequences for the landscape of the sport.