Marc Marquez secured his seventh MotoGP championship at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, ending a six-year gap that left many questioning his dominance. This victory highlights Ducati’s essential role in his comeback, with the team’s advanced technology and strategic decisions being crucial to Marquez’s success.
Marquez’s Transition to Ducati and Remarkable Success
After struggling during his final years with Honda, Marquez made a decisive switch to Ducati at the end of 2023, seeking a bike capable of restoring his winning form. Over the next two seasons, he achieved an impressive 11 Grand Prix wins and 14 Sprint victories, showcasing a renewed dominance that few thought possible so quickly.
Mauro Grassilli, Ducati’s sporting director, made it clear that this turnaround was not only due to Marquez’s talent.
Seeing him on the red bike was like watching a superhero. This has been his best season ever. But without Ducati, this title would have been impossible,
he emphasized, underlining Ducati’s role in engineering a bike that maximized Marquez’s potential.
Ducati’s Bold Choices and Industry Implications
The decision to bring Marquez into Ducati’s fold came at a high price, including letting go of reigning world champion Jorge Martin, a rising star within the team. Grassilli recognized the risks involved but defended the move confidently:
The decision was tough, but it was the right one. Marc brought exactly what we needed to continue winning.
Grassilli also took a pointed stance against Honda, contrasting Marquez’s current performance with his struggles on his previous team.
If he had stayed with Honda, Marc would still be fighting in the mid-pack,
he stated, pointing to Ducati’s technical superiority and Marquez’s revitalized competitiveness.
Setting Ambitious Goals Amid Rising Competition
Ducati’s CEO has outlined a challenging objective: to claim five consecutive championship titles for both rider and manufacturer categories. Now armed with a championship-winning bike, Ducati’s engineers at Borgo Panigale face the challenge of maintaining their lead as rivals Yamaha and Honda escalate their efforts to compete.
Marquez himself remains fiercely committed to racing as long as he remains competitive. He affirmed this determination by stating he will continue to race as long as he can
live 365 days a year for racing,
signaling his intention to remain linked with Ducati while their partnership delivers the performance he demands.
Ducati’s Growing Influence in MotoGP’s Future
By asserting that Marquez’s championship would have been impossible without their support, Grassilli has positioned Ducati not only as a competitor but as a driving force behind Marquez’s resurgence. This claim indirectly challenges their rivals and reminds the MotoGP paddock of the Italian manufacturer’s crucial role in defining current championship dynamics.
The stakes have never been higher in MotoGP, with Ducati’s engineering excellence setting a benchmark that rivals will strive to surpass. As the season progresses, the ongoing rivalry between Ducati, Yamaha, and Honda promises a high-intensity showdown, shaping the future of the sport.
