TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson says Marc Marquez can “manipulate” MotoGP teams to suit his needs in a “similar manner” to Valentino Rossi.
Marquez won both races on his debut with the factory Ducati squad at the season-opening Thai Grand Prix, finishing over two seconds clear of teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
It has long been anticipated the 2025 title battle would be between the two teammates, but the championship could be decided by who gets the most support from the team.
Hodgson believes this is where Marquez can “manipulate” the team to fight in his corner, and drew comparisons to the Spaniard’s long-time rival Rossi.
“People at home will think about Marc [Marquez]: arrogance, because of his behaviour on track,” Hodgson assessed.
“But he’s a people person, he’s a real team player. He’s really good – this sounds harsh – at manipulating the team around him.
“I underline that by saying it’s part of the job. You want all the guys in the team to fight for you. Marc is the master of that.
“Do you know who was better than him, or as good as him? Valentino [Rossi].
“Valentino could manipulate a team around him very well.”
‘Ducati love winners’: how Marc Marquez could upset Francesco Bagnaia in 2025
Marquez joined Ducati after its most dominant campaign in recent memory, with Bagnaia taking 11 victories aboard the GP24 last season.
While Hodgson admitted “Ducati love winners” he suggested Marquez could get the garage in his favour over the two-time champion.
“It’s not his first rodeo! He knows how to play the press, and a garage,” Hodgson continued.
“He’s very good at turning the garage he works in all onto his side. They loved him at Gresini and at Honda.
“Now he’s got the ultimate challenge of turning Bagnaia’s garage into a Marc Marquez garage.
“Pecco [Bagnaia] won their first MotoGP title since Casey Stoner in 2007. An Italian on their bike winning the championship was huge. They love Pecco at Ducati.
“But one thing I know is that Ducati love winners.”
Hodgson’s TNT Sports colleague Michael Laverty added Marquez is “confident” now he is working with the “best engineers” in the paddock.
“He did sometimes at Gresini. At Aragon he probably arrived confidently, but he was always on the back foot on the older machine,” Laverty said.
“Now, he’s got the best tools on the planet at his disposal, and the best engineers.
“The swagger in how he walks around the paddock? He is confident.”
READ MORE – Francesco Bagnaia ‘not in MotoGP to finish third’ after Thai GP struggles
