Ducati extend MotoGP dominance as rivals struggle to catch up

Ducati’s dominance in MotoGP 2025 continues, with their GP24 bike proving unstoppable as KTM and Aprilia face challenges under the engine freeze.

Sprint winner Marc Marquez of Spain from Ducati Lenovo and second-place Alex Marquez of Spain from K8 Gresini Racing MotoGP gesture to the crowd after the Sprint race of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on March 1, 2025. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ducati have solidified their position as the team to beat in the MotoGP 2025 season, boasting the fastest bike on the grid. With the two-year engine freeze under the concessions system, both KTM and Aprilia are finding it difficult to close the gap before the next regulation changes in 2027.

The opening round of the season at the Grand Prix of Thailand underscored Ducati’s superiority, with three of their bikes finishing on the podium. Marc Marquez, in his much-anticipated debut with the team, secured victories in both the sprint and main races, immediately establishing himself as a championship contender. He now leads the riders’ standings by eight points, ahead of his brother Alex Marquez.

Marquez’s surprising Ducati admission

Despite his dominant showing in Thailand, Marquez made a surprising revelation after the race. He admitted that he felt "slow" on the bike, a statement that raised eyebrows in the paddock. His teammate, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, was reportedly perplexed by Marquez’s strategy and how seamlessly he controlled the race.

The Spaniard’s ability to manipulate race pace and maintain a strategic edge could be an early indicator of just how formidable both Ducati and Marquez are this season. Ducati’s recent dominance has been built on a combination of engineering excellence and strategic secrecy, ensuring that rivals have minimal insight into their performance advantages.

Ducati’s GP25 setback and strategic decision

One of the biggest talking points of Ducati’s 2025 campaign has been their decision to abandon the GP25 engine in favor of last season’s GP24. The GP24, which set the benchmark in 2024, remains an elite machine, and Ducati engineers knew its potential from the start—despite publicly downplaying its advantages over the GP23.

According to journalist Alberto Gomez, Ducati insiders privately acknowledged the significant differences between the GP23 and GP24, even if their public statements suggested otherwise.

“Face to face with the media, Ducati’s crew chief claimed that the GP24 was similar to the GP23,” Gomez reported. “But behind closed doors, they admitted the difference was as big as comparing a Ducati to a Yamaha.”

The decision to revert to the GP24 engine was made after just five days of testing—three at Sepang and two at Buriram. Ducati’s test rider Michele Pirro initially provided a positive assessment of the GP25, but a critical flaw soon emerged.

Engine braking issues force Ducati to rely on GP24

Bagnaia, Ducati’s two-time champion, quickly noticed an issue with the GP25’s engine braking. Despite the team’s best efforts to fine-tune the setup, they ultimately decided that the older GP24 engine was a more reliable choice for the next two seasons.

The inability to perfect the GP25’s engine braking was a frustrating setback for Ducati, given the time and resources invested in the new package. However, with their current level of dominance, they can afford to stick with proven machinery if it keeps them ahead of the competition.

Ducati’s dominance and the impact of the engine freeze

The engine freeze, implemented as part of MotoGP’s concession system, will prevent KTM and Aprilia from making significant engine developments until the new regulations come into effect in 2027. This means that Ducati’s rivals will struggle to close the performance gap in the coming seasons.

Ducati’s factory team, along with satellite outfits like Pramac and VR46, continue to benefit from an optimized package that has already delivered championship-winning results. With Marquez adjusting quickly to his new surroundings and Bagnaia eager to defend his title, Ducati remain the undisputed frontrunners.

Can anyone stop Ducati in 2025?

Ducati’s decision to stick with the GP24 may have been forced by technical challenges, but it also reflects the luxury they have in MotoGP. Even with an older engine, they remain the fastest team on the grid.

For KTM and Aprilia, the challenge is clear: find a way to close the gap despite the development restrictions. Meanwhile, Yamaha and Honda continue their rebuilding phases, still searching for a way back to the front.

With Marquez already proving his ability to extract the best from Ducati’s machinery, and Bagnaia remaining a serious threat, it seems increasingly likely that the 2025 MotoGP season will be another year of Ducati dominance.