Dovizioso: Ducati would be stupid not to consider Marquez for MotoGP
Andrea Dovizioso believes Ducati would be "stupid" to not sound out Marc Marquez over a possible switch to the MotoGP manufacturer in 2021
Marquez completed a new deal with Honda running to the end of the 2020 season earlier this year, and is likely to be at the centre of rider market speculation for '21.
Italian media reports suggest Ducati has already made tentative contact with Marquez's party about a future switch, although this has been denied by team manager Davide Tardozzi.
Asked for his take on the rumours, Dovizioso said he would be surprised if Ducati was already thinking so far ahead but that Marquez should be considered.
"I know there were rumours that Ducati has already made an approach, but I don't think this is the case, because it wouldn't be smart on their part," said Dovizioso.
"We still have two years ahead of us together and clear objectives.
"I think that everyone is focused on this, but then it's logical that if there is this possibility, they will always move in good time.
"If in two years' time everyone wants Marquez, what's new?
"Ducati would be stupid not to think about it, just as Honda would be stupid not to try and keep him."
Dovizioso is committed to Ducati until the end of 2020, but the 32-year-old said he would have no problem going up against Marquez in the same team.
The Italian came close to joining Marquez at Honda in 2017 when Dani Pedrosa was linked with a move to Yamaha.
"It would be a good thing [to be team-mates with Marquez]," said Dovizioso.
"When you are alongside a champion, as I am now with [Jorge] Lorenzo, you always learn something, regardless of your relationship with them.
"Every champion has his own characteristics and it would be a great thing to be able to have the data in your hands and understand what he does.
"When you study an opponent who rides a different bike, certain details you can't see. So it would be very interesting."
Previous article
Cal Crutchlow: 'Impossible' to compare my career with Jonathan Rea
Next article
Injured Jorge Lorenzo withdraws from MotoGP's Japanese Grand Prix
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Andrea Dovizioso , Alex Marquez , Marc Marquez |
| Teams | Ducati Team , AB Motoracing |
| Author | Oriol Puigdemont |
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
How Yamaha’s rookie-spec MotoGP star is taking charge
Fabio Quartararo is on a roll in 2021, having stormed to victory at a venue where he last year served up one of his worst races. Contrasting Portuguese GPs for Yamaha’s factory duo make it hard to understand just how good its 2021 MotoGP bike is, but the Portimao weekend has revealed one key improvement compared to 2020
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Has Yamaha banished its demons with its 2021 MotoGP bike?
Against the expected run of play at Qatar's Losail circuit, both Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo carved through a resolute Ducati defence to secure back-to-back MotoGP wins for the Japanese marque. After a difficult 2020, it appears that Yamaha has swaggered back into championship contention
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice
