Ducati’s bold decision to sign Marc Marquez for the 2025 MotoGP season alongside Pecco Bagnaia has dramatically changed the competitive landscape. This move caused major shifts, including Jorge Martin’s transfer to Aprilia and Enea Bastianini joining Tech3 KTM, while the Pramac satellite team transitioned under Yamaha’s control.
Initial Doubts Over Abandoning Ducati’s Homegrown Talent Approach
Many in the paddock expressed surprise and skepticism towards Ducati abandoning its tradition of developing local riders, a shift overseen by technical director Gigi Dall’Igna. Carlo Pernat, manager to Enea Bastianini and a longtime figure in the sport, voiced his reservations at the time.
“I have never shied away from criticizing Ducati. In my opinion, choosing Marc Marquez meant turning away from their pride in local talent development at Borgo Panigale,”
Pernat admitted in a recent interview.
Reassessment Confirms Ducati’s Calculated Decision
As the 2025 season progressed, Pernat acknowledged the effectiveness of Ducati’s strategy. He highlighted the technical challenges faced by the GP25 and credited Dall’Igna’s foresight in recruiting an extraordinary rider to offset those issues.
“Gigi Dall’Igna was right. The numbers don’t lie: the GP25 has its flaws and has reached a technical ceiling. Gigi foresaw this and knew that a rider with exceptional talent was needed to compensate for these limitations.”
Contrary to some speculation that Ducati redesigned the bike for Marquez, Pernat emphasized the pragmatic nature of the signing.
“It wasn’t that the bike was tailored for him, but Ducati was aware that it could no longer progress – and might even regress. Therefore, they chose the only rider capable of taking two steps forward, even with an imperfect bike.”
Marquez’s Dominance Defines the 2025 Championship Battle
By the midpoint of the season, Marc Marquez had firmly established his dominance, winning 19 out of 24 races, securing 11 pole positions, and capturing eight Grand Prix victories. His lead in the standings sits at a commanding 381 points, ahead of his brother Alex Marquez by 120 points, who competes on the previous GP24 model for Gresini Racing.
Meanwhile, Pecco Bagnaia, despite his strong reputation, struggled with the GP25’s front-end handling and managed only a single win in Austin, along with a pole position at Brno. Bagnaia currently stands third, trailing Marquez by 168 points.
Implications of Ducati’s Move and What Lies Ahead
Ducati’s gamble on Marc Marquez has reshaped expectations for the team and the wider MotoGP series. The Spaniard’s exceptional performance underlines the success of a tactical shift that prioritized raw riding skill to overcome technical limitations of the GP25. This dominance not only reinforces Marquez’s reputation as an extraordinary rider but also validates Gigi Dall’Igna’s controversial yet visionary approach.
The 2025 season thus serves as a clear demonstration of how strategic decisions can transform a team’s fate, setting the stage for continued competition and innovation in upcoming races.
