Marc Marquez has expressed growing concern about the performance of Ducati’s 2025 GP25 bike following the British MotoGP at Silverstone. His remarks highlight ongoing challenges as Ducati’s dominance in recent years faces renewed pressure from rival manufacturers.
Struggles Evident After Silverstone Race
For the second consecutive Grand Prix, the winner did not ride a Ducati, breaking the manufacturer’s recent winning streak. Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi secured victory at Silverstone, capitalizing on Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, while Marquez managed to salvage a podium finish despite difficulties. However, Marquez’s experience contrasted sharply with his Ducati factory teammates Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez, who finished just outside the top three in fourth and fifth place.
Marquez Describes the GP25’s Front Tire Handling as a Major Issue
Marquez described his tire issues at Silverstone in strong terms, stating,
“The front tyre was a terrible feeling. I say ‘tyre’ but I don’t want to push this onto Michelin,”
—Marc Marquez, rider. He explained that the front tire’s performance was disastrous, leading to a switch to softer tires during Saturday’s qualifying, a choice most riders also made. The race day brought further complications, as many riders opted for medium tires, despite knowing they were not ideally suited for the conditions.
He continued explaining the race’s final laps, saying he pushed both front and rear tires too hard after an off-track excursion at Turn 9. Marquez admitted that by the end of the race, the tires were completely worn out, preventing him from overtaking Johann Zarco due to the risk involved. He also acknowledged his own self-disappointment over an early crash, though the chaotic restart allowed him a second chance.
Reflecting on the outcome, Marquez noted,
“I know, for Franco, the podium was important but we defended in a good way.”
—Marc Marquez, rider.
Ducati’s Persistent Challenges with the GP25
The difficulties are not limited to Marquez. Factory teammate Pecco Bagnaia has struggled to adapt to the updated Desmosedici this season, prompting Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s team principal, to urge full commitment across the team to support Bagnaia’s recovery. Additionally, Marquez identified that cold and windy conditions at Silverstone further exacerbated the GP25’s handling problems, marking a new set of challenges under adverse weather.
Despite these setbacks, Marquez has maintained a leading position in the MotoGP standings, extending his advantage to 24 points over his brother Alex. The focus now shifts to the upcoming race at Aragon, which will be Marquez’s home Grand Prix and an opportunity to address these performance issues in familiar surroundings.
