Marc Marquez is entering the 2025 MotoGP season with stunning dominance, having secured seven straight victories and accumulated 455 points. This performance has left rivals far behind and positioned him as the sport’s leading figure. Despite this remarkable success, an urgent question emerges about Ducati’s growing dependence on Marquez’s unique riding style and whether this could trigger issues similar to those Honda faced during the peak of their partnership with the Spaniard.
The Risks of Building a Bike Around a Single Rider’s Style
Honda’s history provides a cautionary tale about the dangers of tailoring a motorcycle to fit one exceptional talent. Their RC213V was engineered heavily around Marquez, leading to outstanding results for him but poor performance for other team riders. When injury sidelined Marquez, Honda’s once-dominant machine struggled severely, exposing the fragility of their setup. Observers now see parallels at Ducati, where the technical development path appears increasingly focused on Marquez’s aggressive inputs.
Simon Patterson of The Race voiced a strong warning:
I think Ducati will need to be very careful over the next 18 months. This resembles the early problems encountered at Honda. This rider is completely indifferent to the issues faced by other racers. Consequently, the bike is heading towards a potentially insurmountable direction for all.
—Simon Patterson, Motorsport Analyst
Current Challenges Faced by Ducati’s Other Riders
Pecco Bagnaia, Ducati’s two-time MotoGP champion, is struggling amid the rise of the new GP25 machine, which favors the unorthodox style of Marquez. Bagnaia has managed only one win this season and is trailing his teammate by 227 points. He finds the GP25’s unstable front end difficult to control, clashing with his need for a more stable riding experience. This struggle underlines the growing divide within Ducati’s lineup, where Marquez’s success contrasts sharply with the difficulties encountered by other riders on the same bike.
A Narrow Focus Threatening Ducati’s Long-Term Stability
While Ducati enjoys dominance thanks to Marquez’s results, the heavy technical commitment to his style risks sidelining other talents and limiting the versatility of the Desmosedici. The development is narrowing to focus almost exclusively on one rider, which could undermine the team’s collective strength and adaptability. This approach risks repeating the “golden trap” Honda fell into, where one rider’s strengths shaped the bike so extensively that others were unable to compete effectively.
Fans currently celebrate Ducati’s leading position in MotoGP, but experts warn that this model may be unsustainable. When Marquez eventually departs or faces setbacks, Ducati could face a crisis resembling Honda’s past collapse—a fragile dynasty built on the shoulders of a single individual.
The Future at Borgo Panigale: A Critical Juncture
The situation at Ducati has never been more precarious. The team must decide whether to diversify development to accommodate different riding styles or continue focusing on Marquez, risking isolation from broader competition and talent growth. The pressure mounts as the MotoGP community watches Ducati’s choices closely, aware that history may soon offer a verdict.
