Ducati team left in awe of Marc Marquez’s performance

Marc Marquez’s masterclass in Buriram leaves Ducati and Francesco Bagnaia struggling to keep up.

Marc Marquez of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team celebrates with his team after winning the MotoGP PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on March 2, 2025. Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Sarah Oktaviany

Marc Marquez’s spectacular performance in Buriram, showcasing both his skill as a rider and his ability to maximize the potential of his Ducati, has led many to call this version of the eight-time world champion the strongest and most consistent of his career.

At the 2025 Thailand Grand Prix, Marquez marked his return to winning the opening round of a season for the first time since 2014. That year, in just his second season in the premier class, he won the first ten races of the season—a record that remains unmatched in the modern MotoGP era. While the introduction of sprint races in 2023 has made such streaks more difficult to achieve, Marquez’s form in Buriram has some believing that a repeat, or even an improvement, is possible.

The next two rounds, set to take place in Termas de Río Hondo and Austin, are circuits where Marquez has historically excelled. If he maintains his current level of performance, he could arrive at the Qatar Grand Prix in April with three consecutive victories.

Marquez’s dominance sends shockwaves through Ducati

Marquez’s superiority in the season opener was evident to all. He completed a clean sweep in Buriram, taking pole position, setting the fastest lap, and winning both the sprint and grand prix races. More than the victories themselves, it was the manner in which he achieved them that sent a clear message to the rest of the grid.

His Ducati teammate and reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia struggled to keep pace, left with mounting doubts after witnessing Marquez’s dominance firsthand. Even Ducati’s top brass appeared stunned, uncertain about the true extent of Marquez’s capabilities before the race.

One critical moment in the grand prix provided insight into Marquez’s racecraft. On lap seven, he let his brother, Alex Marquez, pass him—a move that puzzled many at first. However, it was later revealed that the strategy was a calculated response to a front tire pressure issue. Allowing Alex through helped regulate the tire pressure back within the legal parameters. Once that was done, Marquez wasted no time reclaiming the position, pulling over half a second clear within half a lap.

Francesco Bagnaia, left in disbelief by Marquez’s raw pace, admitted as much after the race.

“I think Marc played with us today,” Bagnaia said. “He gave me a 2.3-second gap in just three laps.”

Marquez’s ability to manage the race, combined with his blistering pace, has left even Ducati’s inner circle surprised. Davide Tardozzi, team manager for Ducati’s factory squad, admitted that Marquez’s performance exceeded expectations.

“What Marc did shocked even us,” Tardozzi told Motorsport.com. “We thought he was holding something back, but when he passed Alex, within two sectors, he took six-tenths off him.

“Obviously, Pecco [Bagnaia] is frustrated because he couldn’t find the speed to match Marc.”

Tardozzi’s role in managing the Ducati garage has now become even more complex. With two elite riders competing under the same banner, maintaining harmony will be a challenge.

“You will always find me in a central position, the middle of the two, but maybe a bit closer to the one who needs it most—which is usually the one behind,” Tardozzi said.

Marco Rigamonti, Marquez’s track engineer, also gained key insights from the weekend. He admitted that the team initially feared a mechanical issue when Marquez allowed Alex through but later realized it was a strategic move to control tire pressure.

“I thought it was impossible that, after so many laps in Buriram, we hadn’t got the tire pressure right,” Rigamonti said. “He rode so smoothly, without forcing anything, that the pressure didn’t increase as expected.”

Rigamonti added that moving forward, Ducati will factor in Marquez’s ability to manage clean air more effectively than anticipated.

Marquez’s transformation into an even more formidable competitor

Ducati once saw Marquez as a fierce rival, having lost multiple MotoGP titles to him during his Honda years. Now, they are witnessing firsthand the depth of his talent and adaptability.

Marquez’s closest advisors believe he has returned as a more refined, calculated competitor. His brutal injury setbacks from 2020 onwards forced him to rethink his approach. After enduring four surgeries on his arm and years of uncertainty, he has emerged as a version of himself that some consider even more dangerous than before.

“This Marc is another Marc. It is an improved version,” a member of Marquez’s inner circle said. “Before the injury, he didn’t mind overdoing it, even when he had a big advantage over the rest. That sometimes led to mistakes. Now, after everything he has been through, he isn’t willing to make those mistakes anymore.”

With the Argentina and Americas Grands Prix approaching, Marquez has the chance to cement his status as the man to beat in 2025. If his performance in Thailand is any indication, Ducati and the rest of the MotoGP field could be in for a long season trying to catch up.