Alex Marquez Admits “Pressure” of Sharing MotoGP Team with Marc Was the Worst Part of 2024
The Marquez brothers—Marc and Alex—made headlines throughout the 2024 MotoGP season, but not all of it was positive. Alex Marquez, the younger brother of the eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, recently revealed that the added pressure brought by his brother’s presence in the Gresini Ducati garage was one of the most challenging aspects of his season.
Marc Marquez’s Bold Career Move
Marc Marquez stunned the MotoGP world when he terminated his Honda contract a year early to join Gresini Racing on a GP23 Ducati for the 2024 season. Following years of struggles after his career-altering arm injury in 2020, Marc was determined to revive his form. Despite competing on the 2023-spec Ducati, he clinched three grand prix victories—matching the performance of world champion Jorge Martin—and proved he still had the mettle to compete at the highest level.
However, Marc’s arrival at Gresini brought unprecedented media attention and scrutiny to the previously low-profile satellite team, leaving Alex grappling with the increased spotlight.
A Pressure-Filled Environment
Speaking to Relevo, Alex Marquez admitted that the pressure of sharing a team with his brother was overwhelming at times.
“The worst part is the pressure and how much more people scrutinize you,” Alex said. “In 2023, we had such a comfortable setup. We weren’t constantly in the spotlight, but having Marc meant that when you opened the garage, there were 20 journalists in your face, extremely aware of everything happening inside.”
The intense focus wasn’t just directed at Marc but extended to the entire team. “It wasn’t only from his side. The whole team felt it, and the additional pressure wasn’t just from journalists but also from outsiders paying more attention. That was tough to handle,” Alex explained.
The dynamic initially unsettled the team, causing a tense atmosphere in the paddock. “Especially at the start, everyone was more nervous. After all, they had an eight-time world champion in the garage,” he added.
However, Alex noted that things began to stabilize after a few races: “By the third or fourth race, things returned to normal, and the atmosphere became very comfortable again.”
A Mixed Season for the Marquez Brothers
The 2024 season was a mixed bag for Alex Marquez. After securing podium finishes and even a sprint race victory in 2023 with the GP22, he faced a more challenging year with the GP24. His sole podium came at the German GP, where he finished third behind his brother Marc. Remarkably, this was the first time since 1997 that siblings shared a premier-class podium—reminiscent of Nobuatsu and Takuma Aoki’s achievement at Imola.
Despite his struggles, Alex finished eighth in the championship standings. Meanwhile, Marc’s position at Gresini will be filled by rookie Fermin Aldeguer in 2025, while Alex continues with the team.
Legacy Moments and Lingering Challenges
The German GP podium was a career highlight for Alex but also underscored the challenges of competing alongside a legendary sibling. Sharing the team spotlight with Marc pushed him to adapt to increased expectations but also strained the relaxed environment he once enjoyed at Gresini.
As the 2025 season looms, Alex Marquez faces another opportunity to prove his mettle without the towering presence of his brother in the same garage. Only time will tell how the lessons from 2024 shape his future in MotoGP.
