VR46 MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli has revealed that the exact Ducati package he will race with in 2025 remains undecided, expressing concerns about the challenges other riders have faced with the GP25 model. This uncertainty comes as Ducati prepares for the next MotoGP season following recent decisions regarding bike allocations.
Ducati’s 2025 Equipment Plans and Team Changes
Before the Japanese Grand Prix, Ducati announced it would introduce a fourth GP26 bike next season, promoted to Gresini’s Alex Marquez who earned a factory-spec machine. Despite this, VR46 team principal Pablo Nieto confirmed that the offer of the GP26 was extended to Morbidelli, but the team ultimately decided he would continue on the GP25 instead.
The GP25 motorcycle has proven highly successful, capturing victory in 13 out of the 17 races held this season and powering Marc Marquez’s championship lead. Despite its success, some talents have faced difficulties with the bike’s setup and performance. Pecco Bagnaia contended with performance issues for much of the year until unusual adjustments at Motegi improved his results. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio’s experience with the GP25 has been inconsistent.
Morbidelli’s Hesitation Over Next Year’s Bike Specification
Speaking at an event in Indonesia, Morbidelli was candid about the ongoing uncertainty regarding the bike he will pilot in 2025. He emphasized that he must test the equipment before committing, aware of the issues that affected riders like Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio this season.
That’s a difficult thing for me because things are not fixed yet,
Morbidelli explained when addressing questions from Crash.net.
We have still to decide what package we are going to ride next year.
He continued,
For sure, in theory, it’s the GP25. But we know that many riders have had problems with that package, even if that package won the championship.
Morbidelli added,
But we know DiGia sometimes and Pecco many times struggled on it. So, I don’t know. First of all I would like to try it and then have an idea on it, talk with the team and make my decision on it.
Reiterating the lack of final decisions, he stated,
Nothing is fixed yet. First of all we need to try it, talk with the team first and then Ducati.
Clarifications on Morbidelli’s Available Options
VR46 representatives clarified that Morbidelli will be provided with the best possible non-official package, allowing him to run 2024 components on the GP25 if he chooses, rather than being limited to the older GP24 model. This option aims to offer him a competitive setup despite the uncertainties.
Looking ahead, with engine development frozen for most manufacturers from 2026 except for Honda and Yamaha, it is expected that Ducati’s GP26 model will not differ substantially from the current GP25, limiting the scope of major technical advances.
Implications for Ducati and the 2025 Season
The unresolved status of Morbidelli’s Ducati 2025 package highlights the complexities teams face in balancing proven performance against addressing riders’ struggles. How Morbidelli adapts to the bike he ultimately races on could impact his competitiveness next season. Meanwhile, Ducati’s cautious approach reflects a strategic assessment of available technology as the sport enters a period of restricted engine development.
