Danilo Petrucci is confident that Ducati rider Marc Marquez is not in “difficulty” or has “gone out” of a difficult start to the 2026 season for the reigning MotoGP champion.
Marquez Heading into this weekend’s Grand Prix of the Americas at COTA, he is fifth in the 2026 riders’ standings with 34 points from the opening two rounds. Aprilia ace Marco Bezecchi holds the lead with 56 points after winning the Thai Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Ducati Racing Marquez could have moved closer to Bezeci in the standings if not for his puncture in the Thai GP. as well as, Marquez lost P3 to Fabio di Giantantonio at the Brazilian GP. Due to the collapse of the VR46 Goiania track.
But despite Di Giannantonio only passing Marquez in Brazil when the Spaniard was forced to race due to track conditions, questions have been raised about the latter and the lingering effects of his shoulder injury. Marquez needed surgery in October, and the 2025 season is over.
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Danilo Petrucci believes Marc Marquez has ‘different approach’ to 2026 due to shoulder injury
Marquez has asked Ducati to “wait” as he wants to feel healthy again in his shoulder before committing to his future in MotoGP and has ended negotiations over a new contract for 2027. And Petrocchi He believes it is Marquez’s shoulder that will look different in 2026.
Read more: Every MotoGP record Marc Marquez can break in the 2026 season.

Petrucci feels Marquez will adopt a “different approach” as early as 2026. MotoGP seasonThe native of Cervera knows that he cannot take “too many risks” on his shoulders. He also believes that the 33-year-old sees the “big picture” when it comes to the title.
“He, himself, said he didn’t feel good, but Marquez is Marquez,” Petrucci said. reaping. “He was unlucky in Thailand, he still won the Sprint in Brazil, and now Austin, which is literally his home, and Jerez is coming up, the added bonus of the postponement of Qatar, he’s never been a favorite track.
“So I’ve never underestimated Marquez. In my opinion, he’s managing himself, both physically and mentally, and above all, he doesn’t want to make mistakes.”
It wants to be consistent. He’s thinking about the championship, he’s looking at the big picture, he’s not focusing on the day-to-day issues, and he knows that a fitness like his can’t afford to take too many risks anymore.
He has a different approach, let’s put it this way, but that certainly doesn’t mean he’s in crisis or desperate.
Marc Marquez and Austin – the most popular rider/circuit combination in MotoGP?
Marquez has made the American circuit his playground throughout his career, with seven wins in 11 outings at the MotoGP Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. In the year He last won there against Honda in 2021, however, and retired from the last two races at COTA.
Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia won the 2025 US GP after Marquez crashed out of the race lead. If Marquez now returns to form this weekend at COTA, he could help show Bezecic that he can challenge for the title this season.
Neil Hodgson felt Marquez changed his riding style in Brazil. Fitting for the Ducati GP26 after it looked less comfortable with the bike in Thailand. The shoulder injury is still not 100% healed, and Alex Barros thinks that Marquez’s shoulder may take six months to heal Completely.
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