At the Sepang test Alex Márquez told reporters he had “several options” for the 2027 MotoGP season and wanted his situation resolved before the first race. Márquez, who finished runner‑up last season and earned a factory‑spec Ducati for 2026, ended the Sepang running fastest at the finish after primarily using the 2024‑spec front aero. He reported a strong day that included a good sprint simulation and said additional aero and setup work would be evaluated during upcoming running in Thailand. Márquez described Gresini’s offer as the most emotionally solid because he knows the team, but he is also being linked to factory moves as his market value rises ahead of the 2027 regulation changes and the adoption of Pirelli tires.

KTM’s interest in Márquez intensified amid expectations that Pedro Acosta could move to Ducati for 2027, with reports naming Márquez a favorite to join KTM and potentially be paired with Maverick Viñales. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali confirmed the factory would formally consider its 2027 rider line‑up after the Sepang test and acknowledged Acosta among several riders under review. While reports suggested Ducati were close to signing Acosta to a two‑year deal, Domenicali said no final decision had been made and emphasized a measured approach. Ducati was believed to be waiting to finalise a new two‑year contract for Marc Márquez before completing any agreement with Acosta, making Marc Márquez’s contract a gating factor in those negotiations.

Yamaha remained a possible destination—its ability to pursue Márquez was reported to depend in part on the unresolved future of Fabio Quartararo. With teams waiting on contract clarifications and internal deliberations, multiple outcomes for 2027 lineups remained possible and official announcements were expected after those processes. Márquez reiterated he planned to decide his 2027 ride well before the 2026 season opener, closing a window that many teams were watching closely as they shaped their lineups ahead of the regulatory shift. The combination of Sepang form, contractual movements around Acosta and Marc Márquez, and the upcoming rule changes ensured the 2027 market would remain active in the weeks ahead.

Sources