Marc Márquez: End of an era - move to Ducati without Red Bull!

Marc Márquez: End of an era - move to Ducati without Red Bull!

MotoGP superstar Marc Márquez has officially announced his departure from Red Bull as he joins the Ducati team next year in 2025. This separation marks the end of a partnership that has lasted more than 15 years and has accompanied Márquez since his beginnings in the motorcycle world championship. The eight-time world champion said goodbye to the brand that had featured his logo on his crash helmet since 2008 and confirmed his decision during an event at Red Bull's Hangar 7 in Austria. "Ducati has another sponsor so we can't continue. I hope we stay friends," he said Nau.ch reported.

The move to Ducati not only brings Márquez a new employer, but also a new main sponsor: Monster Energy, Red Bull's direct competitor. These changes are significant, as Márquez was on the Ducati bike for the first time without Red Bull technology during the Barcelona test. Throughout his career, the Red Bull logo has been a part of his branding throughout, from his early days until his move to Gresini Racing in 2024. According to Motorcycle Sports However, the connection has long been characterized by speculation regarding possible conflicts over sponsors, in particular about a possible agreement with Ducati and Monster.

What this decision means for Márquez’s future career remains to be seen. It's no secret that the new sponsorships with Monster Energy could be challenging, but he has stressed that out of respect for Red Bull, he will not have a personal sponsor. The coming season will not only be a sporting replacement in his team structure, but also a serious experiment in MotoGP's market strategy for the world champion.