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Between the injury sustained in Portimao and the recent crashes at Le Mans and Mugello, Marc Marquez has only managed to finish three races in 2023, which sees the 30-year-old Catalan in 18th place in the championship standings, with just 15 points. A position that clearly does not belong to the eight-time world champion, who is increasingly dissatisfied and annoyed by the risks that Honda riders have to take on the RC213V.
Precisely for this reason, despite the fact that the Spaniard has a contract with the Japanese manufacturer until the end of next season, Marc's name has been repeatedly linked with other brands for 2025. And while the Ducati doors seem to be locked, the situation in KTM is different, as Pit Beirer explained in an interview with Marca, clarifying the manufacturer's position towards the rider from Cervera.
“Perhaps it was said out of context that we are not interested because, first of all, Marc Marquez has a valid contract and we have four riders with valid contracts for this year and next. So it's not a realistic scenario that we can talk about" commented the Motorsport Director of the Mattighofen-based company, denying KTM's lack of interest in the Iberian.
With the intention of honouring his contract with Honda until it expires, the Spanish champion might enter into negotiations with the Austrian manufacturer for 2025, but at the moment there doesn't seem to be anything concrete on the table.
“I've seen the rumours in the press and, honestly, I haven't spoken to Marc about it. For all the people who are part of the project, it's an incredible compliment because he's a master of MotoGP, but there's nothing more and nothing less because, as I said, he has a contract for next year - clarified Beirer - I don't think anyone in the paddock knows what will happen in 2025. I'm very happy with our four riders and I don't think it's right to talk about someone as strong as Marc Marquez, with the riders we have now."
The presence of a common sponsor of the calibre of Red Bull might help to bring about the operation, but the former German racer preferred to curb the enthusiasm: “Red Bull cannot make an offer to Marc Marquez. Only Marc Marquez can offer himself,” he said. “We have an excellent rapport with KTM and obviously he is a Red Bull sportsman and a friend of theirs, but it’s not so easy that two people meet and say: ‘OK, let’s bring Marc Marquez to KTM’. As I said, we still have our riders and they deserve all the credit and attention from KTM."
