Rossi: Marquez doesn't have to switch teams to prove MotoGP legend

Rossi famously moved from Honda to Yamaha for the 2004 season after winning three premier class titles for Honda, and went on to rack up another four crowns for his current employer.

He is said to have felt undervalued by Honda, which at the time believed its bike - and not Rossi - was responsible for its dominant seasons in 2001, '02 and '03, which prompted him to leave.

As he spoke ahead of this weekend's Australian race at Phillip Island, Rossi was asked if Marquez had to change teams to add another layer to his own MotoGP legend.

In response, Rossi stressed that a mid-career team change was not essential for Marquez.

"It's something very personal," he said.

"He doesn't have to change the bike. He has to think, [but] if he feels good with Honda, he can [have] all his career with Honda.

"It very much depends - it's a very personal choice, what you feel, what you find for motivation to race, but I think everybody has his own way."

Marquez signed a new two-year deal with Honda earlier this year, which means he will remain with the manufacturer until at least the end of 2020.

When asked about HRC President Yoshishige Nomura expressing his desire to keep Marquez for his entire career in comments made to the media this week, the Spaniard replied: "We can speak about it, no problem.

"Like I always said, I feel good with HRC and when everything goes well.

"Since I arrived at Honda we [have had] one of our best moments, together with the factory.

"Since then we showed our potential on the track. I'm feeling good, so when everything is fine, [you] keep on the same way."

Rumours have already circulated in the Italian media in recent weeks suggesting that Ducati is considering a bid for Marquez's services for 2021.

Andrea Dovizioso said last weekend in Japan that the marque would be "stupid" not to sound out Marquez.