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Lewis Hamilton has expressed his excitement about MotoGP rider Marc Marquez's move to Ducati, drawing parallels between the Spaniard’s new challenge and his own upcoming journey in red with Ferrari.
The multiple world champions in their respective fields are embarking on fresh adventures with iconic Italian teams in hopes of rekindling their title-winning ways.
Hamilton, who will join Ferrari for the next season after spending 12 years with Mercedes, is looking forward to a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Similarly, six-time MotoGP world champion Marquez will join the works Ducati team after ending at the end of 2023 his long-standing association with Honda.
Marquez’s decision to switch teams comes after a series of challenging years with Honda.
The 31-year-old Spaniard's career was derailed by several severe injuries. A fractured shoulder in 2018 required surgery and extensive rehabilitation, and a subsequent arm injury from a crash at Jerez in 2020 nearly ended his career.
His struggles continued with a diagnosis of double vision following a crash at the end of 2021, and again in 2022 after a fall during the warm-up at the Indonesian Grand Prix.
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Despite these setbacks, Marquez showcased resilience and skill this season with the satellite Ducati team Gresini Racing.
His impressive performances and a clean bill of health earned him a move back to a factory team for 2025, and it’s an opportunity that sets up an exciting battle against two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati, as Marquez aims to add more world titles to his name.
Hamilton sees the Spanish rider's return to form with such an iconic team as a tantalizing prospect, one that he will be closely watching next season.
"That's awesome, he's incredible,” Hamilton told the media ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. “I love MotoGP, and really excited for the future of the sport as well.
"I think that they'll be learning a lot from what has happened with Liberty and Formula 1 over the past years. And there's a lot of growth that will happen. But the racing is amazing.
"And then to see Marquez on that Ducati, it's gonna be cool. I mean, Ducati has always been such a cool bike.”
Hamilton clearly identifies with Marquez’s change of environment and fresh challenge.
"I think from an athlete's perspective, and from a rider or driver's perspective… it's maybe some of you, maybe in a job for a long, long time, it's great to have something new, a new environment, new desk, new people to work with, and new challenges.
"And there's nerves. There's all these things that you are unsure of, in the sense that you don't know how you’re going to blend in the environment, for example.
"But that's exciting. And it's great when you're welcomed into a new space. So yeah, I think it's really cool. I can't wait to see him now on that bike."
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