Three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo has compared Marc Marquez to Formula 1 legends Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen following his exceptional performances during the 2026 season.
The Path to a Tenth Title
Marc Marquez has benefited from mistakes made by Marco Bezzecchi and an untimely injury suffered by factory Aprilia rider Jorge Martin, easing his trajectory toward a 10th world championship. This resurgence follows a remarkable comeback after May surgery, which left Marquez trailing then-leader Bezzecchi by 102 points at one stage.
After securing victory in seven of the last 11 grands prix, Marquez seized the championship lead in Australia during a fierce battle with Martin. Martin subsequently crashed and sustained an unrecovered fracture to his right hand radius.
Speaking to GPOne at the recent Milan Motorcycle Show, Jorge Lorenzo stated, “Martin’s accident was a shame because we could have had an incredible end to the season: the numbers were very close. Aprilia, Ducati, Marquez and Martin were all very competitive.”
Lorenzo added, “But that’s racing: sometimes bad luck or a few wrong decisions can ruin a championship. That’s what happened to Martin, whose crash opened the door for Marc to win his 10th title.”
A Unique Technical Level
Lorenzo concluded his career at Honda in 2019 after nine seasons with Yamaha and two with Ducati, collecting 47 premier-class wins and briefly sharing a garage with Marquez during his most dominant stretch.
“Marquez is Marquez: he is the Ayrton Senna of motorcycling, the Max Verstappen of MotoGP,” Lorenzo told Motorsport.com – All – Stories (motorsport.com). He further noted that “Technically, he is on another level. When he finally found the best bike on the grid, he made the difference.”
Despite significant injuries altering Marquez’s riding style and weekend strategies throughout his career, Lorenzo maintains that “Marc is still the best technically.”
Lorenzo explained, “Since arriving in MotoGP, he has done things that nobody else is capable of doing, and even though his arm remains in the condition we all know about, he continues to make the difference.”
Future Dynamics with Pedro Acosta
According to Lorenzo, who claimed MotoGP titles in 2010, 2012, and 2015, fellow countryman Pedro Acosta is the rider primed to succeed Marquez. Lorenzo noted that Acosta is extremely strong and developing rapidly, though he cautioned that Marquez’s arm injury somewhat curtails his technical advantage, adding that a 100-percent-fit Marquez would win significantly more.
Marquez and Acosta are scheduled to partner up at Ducati next season, creating a dynamic reminiscent of Lorenzo’s past pairing with Valentino Rossi at Yamaha.
“I’m curious to see whether Acosta can immediately reach Marquez’s level or even surpass him,” Lorenzo said. “It will be difficult because Marc will have more experience with Ducati. He is a phenomenon.”
Reflecting on his own history with Rossi—who also held more experience when Lorenzo ended the Italian’s championship streak in 2010—Lorenzo pointed out the advantages on Acosta’s side.
“Acosta has youth on his side: he is 23, has rarely suffered injuries and is at 100% physically,” Lorenzo concluded. “He is young, enthusiastic, confident and has that desire to take risks without worrying too much about getting injured, which is very important. I think the numbers will be quite similar.”
