After a record-breaking 2025 season that saw him reclaim the MotoGP title with Ducati, Marc Marquez could be set for another remarkable year in 2026.
Marquez secured his first championship since 2019, sealing the title with five rounds to spare and racking up 25 wins across main races and Sprints. Having overcome years of injury setbacks at Honda, he was determined to prove he still belonged at the top of the grid.
His win in 2025 brought him level with Valentino Rossi on seven premier class championships. At age 32, he also became the oldest champion of the MotoGP era, surpassing Rossi’s previous record from 2009.
With the new season on the horizon, there are several ways Marquez could continue to rewrite history in 2026.
Marc Marquez chasing more MotoGP records in 2026
If Marquez manages to defend his title in 2026, he would match Giacomo Agostini’s record of eight premier class championships.
That would also extend his record as the oldest champion and make him the oldest to win back-to-back titles. But Leslie Graham still holds the record for the oldest premier class champion, having won at age 37 years and 340 days in 1949.
Marquez, with 73 MotoGP wins, could close in on Valentino Rossi’s total of 89. While reaching that mark in a single season is unlikely, getting there by 2027 or 2028 looks more feasible.
He also has a chance to pass Rossi for the most fastest laps in premier class history. Marquez has 72 and needs just five more to overtake him. He already shares the single-season record of 12 fastest laps with Rossi and Agostini, so breaking it is well within reach.
The Spaniard could become the most successful rider in Sprint races with just two more wins needed to surpass Jorge Martin’s tally of 16 victories. Marquez already holds the record for most consecutive Sprint wins, stringing together eight straight between Aragon and Catalan GPs last year.
If he wins again at Sachsenring this year, he’d draw level with Agostini’s mark for most wins at a single circuit – Agostini having taken ten victories at Imatra in Finland.
There are plenty of other records Marquez already owns that he could add to if he continues performing at this level. Those include most race wins (13), podiums (19), pole positions (74), poles in a season (13), poles at one track (8 each at Austin and Sachsenring), and races where he led every lap while taking pole position, victory, and fastest lap (11).
Marc Marquez shares thoughts on chasing MotoGP records
Marquez would be firmly in the debate for MotoGP’s greatest if he took the crown again this year, but records aren’t what motivates him.
In 2025, he wasn’t focused on matching Rossi’s title count. He was more concerned with proving he could return to top form after his injuries and later called it an ‘honour’ to equal Rossi’s mark.
Looking ahead to 2026, Marquez believes that another title would make last year’s achievement even more meaningful. The hard work required to recover fully made it the most significant title of his career.
He said: “I can say that even if I don’t win another championship, my career is complete. Even if I am here and start fighting for victories, the [title] from last year will always be the most important because all of us know how difficult a moment that was.”
The field won’t make it easy for him either. Marco Bezzecchi, Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez are all expected to be strong contenders again this season, but Marc remains the one everyone will be chasing.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
