As the MotoGP 2026 season approaches, Marc Marquez emerges as the leading contender for the championship title, particularly after his impressive performance during the 2025 season while riding for Ducati. Over the previous year, the 32-year-old racer notched an astounding 11 grand prix victories along with 14 sprint wins, culminating in his seventh world championship in the premier class and his ninth overall.
This remarkable achievement comes six years after he last claimed a title in 2019 and five years following the severe injury to his right arm that he sustained during the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix. Currently, Marquez is on par with the legendary Valentino Rossi, with both riders having secured seven titles in MotoGP, one in Moto2/250cc, and one in the 125cc category.
It's fascinating to note that Marquez's milestone coincides with the ten-year anniversary of his infamous rivalry with Rossi, which reached its peak during the tense final races of the 2015 season. When it comes to the all-time record for premier class world titles, only Giacomo Agostini surpasses both Rossi and Marquez, boasting an impressive eight championships to his name.
Potential Rossi Records at Risk in 2026
As we look ahead to the new season, Marquez has several opportunities to surpass Rossi in a variety of key statistics. To date, Rossi holds the record for the most grand prix wins across all categories, tallying an impressive 115 victories. Currently, Marquez sits at 99 wins, meaning he could potentially equal Rossiâs record in 2026âif he secures 16 wins out of the 22 scheduled races.
In the premier class alone, Rossi leads with 89 wins, while Marquez trails behind with 73. If Marquez were to achieve 16 wins this season, he would tie Rossi, and if he were to reach 17 wins, he would surpass the Italian legend.
Should Marquez clinch a second world championship with Ducati this year, he would make history as the oldest back-to-back champion in MotoGP, a record currently held by Rossi, who won consecutive titles in 2008 and 2009 at the ages of 29 and 30. At 32 years old, Marquez is already the oldest champion in MotoGP history.
Another record worth mentioning is Rossi's lead in fastest laps, which stands at 76 compared to Marquez's 72. While this record is significant, it may not carry as much weight as others.
The Rossi Records That Will Remain Intact in 2026
Regardless of the outcomes this season, Rossi will maintain a substantial lead over Marquez when it comes to total podium finishes. Across all classes, Rossi boasts an impressive 235 podiums, while Marquez has reached 165âa significant gap of 71 that is unlikely to be bridged in the near future.
In the premier class, Rossi again excels with 199 podiums against Marquez's 126. This disparity emphasizes Rossi's enduring legacy in the sport.
Lewis became part of the Crash.net team in August 2024, bringing with him five years of experience as a journalist covering MotoGP for the Motorsport Network.
