A somewhat bemused Marc Marquez has played down comments made by former team-mate and three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo that he would jump at the opportunity to join Ducati if it was presented to him.

A long-time protege of HRC Honda, Marquez has spent his entire international career with backing from the Japanese giant, a fostering relationship that saw him clinch both the 125GP and Moto2 titles before moving onto MotoGP, the latter of which he has won on six occasions.

As it stands, Marquez - whose debut with Repsol Honda came back in 2013 - is still in the midst of a long-term contract signed back in 2019 that runs until the end of 2024. 

Though there is still a year remaining on his deal to the end of 2024, the topic of Marquez’s future is one of the intriguing threads being discussed in the MotoGP paddock, in part because of the injury woes he has suffered, but also because of Honda’s sharp decline in form since 2019.

It led to comments recently by Lorenzo - who partnered Marquez at Honda in 2019 - that he’s  certain the Spaniard would defect to the Italian manufacturer if he was given the chance after seeing what his brother Alex has achieved on the Gresini Ducati.

Though tickled by Lorenzo’s bold claim, Marquez notably didn’t rule out the prospect of moving on one day, saying the ‘colours don’t matter’, but indicated he remains loyal to Honda if it can get back to winning ways by next season.

“Jorge was a good rider, let’s see if he is a good predictor,” he joked to the assembled media ahead of this weekend’s Italian MotoGP at Mugello.

“I have a contract next year with Honda and I am fully committed with them, so it is always my ‘plan A’, but I will always look for a winning project, it doesn't matter the colours, it doesn't matter the name or where.

“I know the years are passing, but anyway I am trying my best, I am back in top physical condition, so I am ready to fight for a championship… but my plan A remains Honda - this was my main priority and will remain my main priority. 

Beyond his own physical issues, it has been a chastening few seasons for Repsol Honda since Marquez was forced to miss the entire 2020 MotoGP season through injury.

For many years the dominant force of MotoGP, Honda’s fall from grace saw it finish bottom of the manufacturers’ standings in 2022 as the only firm not to win a race. 

Despite this, Marquez says he has faith Honda can turn its form around, pointing to his recent comeback to action in France that saw him challenging for the podium.

“When I signed with Honda in 2019, we finished all the races on the podium, other than one in Austin. 

“I have full belief in Honda, it is true right now we are in a difficult moment and we have to achieve a lot to reach the level of performance, but even like this, at Le Mans we were there, so this is positive.“

I am not looking at other Honda riders, I am only looking at myself. I am giving my 100% and I will give 100% next year - we have time to think about the future.”

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