Lotlibrary.com, The Borgo Panigale factory admits it has received criticism for choosing the six-time MotoGP champion as Francesco Bagnaia’s team-mate for next season.

Ducati had initially targeted last year’s runner-up, Enea Bastianini, as part of a wider plan that included placing Marquez at Pramac on a factory-spec bike. However, the Spaniard’s reluctance to join Paolo Campinoti’s team changed things.

Ducati was forced to reverse its initial decision and promote Marquez from Gresini.

The 31-year-old’s arrival is a major boost for the team, both in terms of marketing and competitiveness, requiring Ducati to sacrifice its long-standing relationship with Martin and Pramac.

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali is aware that his choice does not have unanimous support, with Martin having been overlooked for the seat despite having proven his ability time and again with Pramac since his MotoGP debut in 2021.

“It was a very difficult choice for us, because we love Jorge very much,” he said. “So it was Jorge or Marc. Jorge has been with us for a long time, he is very strong. It was very difficult. Time will tell if it was the right choice or not.

“Marc’s choice is very divisive, more in Italy than in the rest of the world because of his story and what happened in the past. From what I read, no one questions his talent, but some people have very characteristic opinions about his story.”

While there’s no denying that signing Marquez is a major coup for Ducati, the team will be in a weaker position compared to its rivals next year.

Firstly, Ducati will have two fewer bikes on the grid, with Pramac ending its 20-year partnership to become a Yamaha satellite team in 2025. Secondly, current VR46 rider Marco Bezzecchi will join Martin at Aprilia next year, while Bastianini will also leave Ducati to move to Tech3 KTM.

Asked if the shake-up in the rider market sparked by Ducati had strengthened the opposition, Domenicali said: “We hope not, in the sense that we need riders, bikes and techniques. You have to manage your energies well.”

Referring to Ducati tightening its purse strings at a time when other manufacturers are offering big-money contracts to Slot gacor lure riders, Domenicali added: “There is also this general issue of environmental sustainability, some manufacturers are making choices that are not sustainable in my opinion, but that’s my opinion.

“We pay a lot of attention to making sure that the company is one, racing, company, family in Borgo Panigale. Balancing what we spend on developing the bike with what we spend on the riders.”