Marc Marquez has dismissed Jorge Lorenzo’s claims that he is now at “war” with KTM’s Pedro Acosta following their clashes at the 2026 Thailand Grand Prix.
The pair have been front and centre since the season opener in Buriram, with Marquez and Acosta battling it out for the Sprint Race win at Chang International Circuit before another close fight in the main race.
Acosta left Thailand on top of the standings, seven points ahead of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old, who retired from the main race, sits eighth and already 23 points off the pace in his bid to retain his crown.
Ducati’s only highlight came from Marquez’s second-place finish in the Sprint Race, though Acosta took victory after a penalty dropped Marquez down. Despite that result, Acosta admitted afterwards that he did not feel like a true winner.
Marc Marquez is not concerned about a rivalry with Pedro Acosta
The stewards deemed Marquez’s overtake on Acosta for the lead in the penultimate lap of the Buriram Sprint Race too aggressive. The 21-year-old Spaniard had to run wide at the last corner after lifting his bike to avoid a crash when Marquez made a late move under braking.
After the Buriram Sprint Race, three-time MotoGP champion Lorenzo told GPOne that “the war is on” between Marquez and Acosta. He believes their battle, coupled with rumours of a 2027 Ducati partnership, shows their growing rivalry.
Lorenzo told GPOne: “It will be a battle between the two roosters. Marc still has immense qualities. But with age and injury, he will lose something physically. Acosta is on the rise. The war is on.”
Marquez has dismissed Lorenzo’s suggestion, claiming instead that he is “waving the white flag”. The seven-time MotoGP champion asserts his sole focus is on improving his results, as he continues to work on regaining fitness in his right shoulder following surgery last October.
“No. I’m at peace with myself, waving the white flag. And above all, I’m looking for that foundation that will allow us to build a good future this year,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
Jorge Lorenzo says the ‘war is on’ with Ducati expected to sign Pedro Acosta for 2027
Marquez shared in Buriram that he is using Ducati’s 2024 front aero package, saying it is less physically demanding than the 2025 version. He made the switch as he continues to recover from a coracoid fracture and ligament damage in his right shoulder.
Beyond Marquez’s recovery, Ducati had a tougher time than most with the hard tyre casing Michelin brought to Thailand. His struggles during the Sprint Race opened several opportunities for Acosta, which eventually led to their late-race clash.
The 33-year-old also missed out on a podium in the main race after retiring from the Grand Prix due to a puncture. He managed to avoid crashing despite suffering rim damage from hitting the kerb at Turn 4 while battling Acosta for P3.
Lorenzo believes their Sprint Race duel was enough evidence that tensions are escalating between Marquez and Acosta, especially with talk of them becoming teammates next season. Reports suggest Ducati are close to signing Acosta, whose KTM deal is ending, once Marquez finalises his own contract extension.
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