Trackhouse Racing rookie delivers best debut performance since 2013

Trackhouse Racing rookie Ai Ogura matches Marc Marquez’s legendary debut with an impressive fifth-place finish at the Thai Grand Prix.

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Team rides during qualifying for the MotoGP PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit on March 1, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ai Ogura made an unforgettable MotoGP debut at the 2025 Thai Grand Prix, securing an impressive fifth-place finish for Trackhouse Racing. The Japanese rider’s performance marked the best premier-class debut since Marc Marquez finished third at the 2013 Qatar Grand Prix. Marquez went on to win the championship that year, and his dominance in Buriram this season has put him in contention for his seventh MotoGP title.

While Marquez stole headlines with a commanding victory in Thailand—completing a perfect weekend with pole position, a Sprint Race win, and a main race triumph—Ogura ensured that all eyes were not solely on the six-time champion. The rookie delivered a mature and confident ride, proving that he belongs at the top level of motorcycle racing.

A debut to remember for Ai Ogura

Ogura’s fifth-place finish at Buriram was no fluke. The 2024 Moto2 champion showed his potential early by qualifying P5, just 0.352 seconds off Marquez’s pole time. He followed that with an impressive fourth-place finish in the Sprint Race, further solidifying his status as a rising star.

His pace even caught Marquez’s attention, with the Ducati rider admitting surprise at Ogura’s strong performance. The 24-year-old finished as the highest-placed non-Ducati rider, crossing the line 7.517 seconds ahead of factory Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi.

Despite being the only rookie on the 2025 MotoGP grid without a factory contract, Ogura has already made a name for himself. His strong debut suggests he could be a contender for top independent rider honors this season.

Overcoming language barriers at Trackhouse Racing

While Ogura’s on-track performance was stellar, he still faces challenges adapting to his new team. The language barrier with Trackhouse Racing, an American outfit, has made communication with his crew difficult.

“I can’t talk to my crew the way I would like to,” Ogura told Speedweek. “I can’t explain what happens on the track. But I’m learning English.”

A potential solution could be hiring a translator, but Ogura acknowledged that finding someone with both fluent English and technical MotoGP knowledge is not easy.

“He would have to speak perfect English and have a technical understanding,” Ogura added.

Despite the communication hurdles, the rookie remains focused on delivering strong performances as the season progresses.

Looking ahead to Argentina

Ogura will look to carry his momentum into the next round at the Argentina Grand Prix. The race returns to the MotoGP calendar this year after being canceled in 2024, providing the Japanese rider with a new challenge.

Starting the season in Thailand worked in Ogura’s favor, as Buriram hosted a two-day pre-season test before the race. The familiarity with the circuit contributed to his standout performance, and his past Moto2 results at Buriram—second in 2024, sixth in 2022, and fifth in 2023—demonstrated his ability to perform well there.

However, Argentina has been a mixed venue for Ogura. He secured a podium finish in the 2022 Moto2 race, but his Moto3 outing in 2019 resulted in a 17th-place finish. Additionally, he was unable to start the 2023 race due to injury.

A promising future in MotoGP

Ogura’s impressive start to his MotoGP career has set the stage for an exciting rookie season. If he continues to build on his early success, he could emerge as a consistent front-runner and potentially challenge for podiums later in the year.

With Marquez back to his best and the Ducati camp engaged in an intense title fight, Ogura’s emergence adds another intriguing storyline to the 2025 MotoGP season. As the championship moves to Argentina, all eyes will be on whether the Trackhouse Racing rookie can replicate his stunning debut performance.