Ducati CEO demands Marc Marquez is not compared to GP24 riders

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has made a clear statement about MotoGP rider Marc Marquez, insisting he is not compared to the riders competing in GP24, the brand’s latest bike. The announcement comes after Marquez showcased his talent at GP23 in the first race of the 2024 MotoGP season.

Although he occasionally competes in GP24, Domenicali believes Marquez’s performance should be measured against those competing on the same bike as him. The observation came after Marquez was leading the American Grand Prix before crashing.

Domenicali explained: “Mark showed he is still in top form and made a mistake. However, the fact that he rides a GP23 needs interpretation and his performance has to be related to those who ride the same bike as him.

He added that there is a slightly greater gap between GP23 and GP24 than in the past, making it unfair to compare Marquez’s performance directly with competing drivers in GP24. Nevertheless, Domenicali praised Marquez’s race and highlighted his courage in putting himself in difficult situations during the race.

Marquez, currently eighth in the MotoGP standings, has been a polarizing figure this season. Although he has shown speed and ability, he has also suffered some setbacks, such as not being able to score points in the last two races due to in-race incidents.

This comment from Ducati’s CEO highlights the difficulty of analyzing performance in the sport, especially when it comes to comparing riders competing on the characteristics of different motorcycles. As Marquez continues to adapt to his new car and aims for stronger positions in the championship, it is clear that the debate surrounding his performance and the expectations surrounding it will continue.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Marquez and the other drivers deal with the challenges of the race and whether he can find his winning form when competing against his rivals on the track.