As the 2025 MotoGP season resumes at the Red Bull Ring in Austria this weekend, Francesco Bagnaia arrives under unusual pressure as he struggles to replicate his historic success at this venue. Bagnaia, Marc Marquez’s Ducati teammate, has owned this track in recent years but now finds himself grappling with confidence issues just as Marquez extends a commanding lead in the championship. This MotoGP 2025 Red Bull Ring Preview highlights the contrasting trajectories of these two riders heading into round 13 of the 22-race season.
Bagnaia’s dominance at the Red Bull Ring has been remarkable; he led almost every lap in the races from 2022 to 2024, securing multiple victories including the emerging sprint format in 2023. Of the 84 laps run at this circuit during grand prix events over the past three years, Bagnaia led 83. However, despite this track record, his form has deteriorated through the current season, yielding just a single win, which came after a Marquez crash rather than outright pace.
Marquez’s Commanding Form and Championship Lead
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez has been nearly unstoppable in 2025, winning eight grands prix and 11 out of 12 sprint races, creating a 120-point buffer over Bagnaia by midseason. Marquez’s experience and consistency have made the title race a foregone conclusion in his favor, with the contest now appearing as a matter of when, rather than if, he secures the championship. This weekend’s race offers Marquez a chance to conquer a track that has long eluded his victory despite several near-misses.
Marquez acknowledges his current lead and the demands of managing this advantage through the remaining rounds. He stated,
“Starting the second part of the season with a 120-point advantage, the only one who can lose the championship is you,”
emphasizing the mental discipline required to sustain performance while balancing calculated control with his relentless winning ambition.
“Championships are the most important and this second part of the season I cannot have the mistake to just want to win every race, because the main target is the championship.”
—Marc Marquez, MotoGP Rider
Bagnaia’s Struggle With Confidence and Machine Adaptation
Bagnaia’s situation is marked by a loss of the dominating momentum he once enjoyed and a growing mismatch between his riding style and the Ducati GP25 bike’s braking characteristics—an especially critical concern at the Red Bull Ring, widely acknowledged as the MotoGP circuit demanding the most intense braking effort. Brembo ranks the Spielberg track as 6 out of 6 for braking difficulty, placing immense strain on riders through rapid deceleration zones such as downhill turn four, where bikes slow from 301 km/h to 81 km/h within just 246 meters.
Reflecting on his recent form during the mid-season break, Bagnaia admitted to a stark contrast between his past performances and current riding.
“I rewatched many races from last year and the previous year, seeing how competitive I was in the fight, following others, overtaking, braking super hard,”
he revealed.
“And watching this season, I was a completely different Pecco, there was nothing comparable. So, I want to change this thing and be similar to last year. I’m looking forward to finding back my speed and fighting for wins.”
—Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP Rider
He also highlighted the main technical hurdle demanding resolution:
“With this bike I cannot brake like I want, this is the hardest part for me because it is the biggest difference from 2021 since I’ve been in the factory Ducati team. This is the main thing to change, and I’m trying to do it.”
—Francesco Bagnaia
Historical Context and Pressure on Bagnaia at Austria
Bagnaia’s ownership of Austria contrasts sharply with Marquez’s long quest for a win at this track. Marquez has narrowly missed out on victory in past races at the Spielberg circuit, often losing last-lap battles to Ducati riders Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. Last year, after Bagnaia secured the Saturday sprint, Marquez pressured him for a lap before Bagnaia pulled away.
This weekend, one of these rival narratives will shift—either Bagnaia reasserts his dominance or Marquez breaks his nine-year victory drought here, adding a new layer of intrigue to a season that has otherwise been predictable. Uncertain weather forecasts and the uniquely demanding ten-turn layout of the Red Bull Ring add to an already tense atmosphere ahead of the 28-lap race, slated for 10 pm AEST Sunday following a 14-lap sprint on Saturday evening.
The Red Bull Ring’s Braking Challenges Explained
The Austrian circuit’s defining characteristic is its heavy braking zones after long straights, requiring riders to dedicate almost a third of each lap to sharp deceleration. The downhill turn four is particularly punishing, testing both rider skill and bike performance in slowing from over 300 km/h to below 90 km/h within a very short distance. These demands highlight why Bagnaia’s braking difficulties on his Ducati bike pose a significant handicap to his pursuit of victory.
Marquez’s Strategic Approach to the Season’s Second Half
Marquez’s approach for the remaining 10 races of 2025 underscores experienced racecraft and championship focus. He expressed intent to manage risks across different sessions while maintaining competitive speed:
“I will need to control myself in some races, because you cannot be the fastest out there every session, every practice and every race. But the mentality is the same, try to do my maximum every weekend.”
—Marc Marquez
Having missed out on wins multiple times at Spielberg against Ducati machines, Marquez now rides Ducati and acknowledged:
“I lose three, four times against the red bikes … now I’m riding the red bike, so let’s see if we can achieve it.”
—Marc Marquez
Ducati’s dominance at the Red Bull Ring is notable, having won nine of the eleven races held there since the track’s 2016 return. KTM riders Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder are the only non-Ducati winners during this period.
Alex Marquez’s Penalty and Team Updates
Marc Marquez’s closest championship challenger, his younger brother Alex Marquez of Gresini Ducati, faces a long-lap penalty this weekend after a collision with Honda’s Joan Mir during the Czech Republic round. Mir has endured a difficult season, suffering more crashes than any other rider except Honda teammate Johann Zarco.
Meanwhile, KTM’s Maverick Vinales and Ducati’s Franco Morbidelli will return to the 21-rider grid this weekend after recovering from injuries sustained at the Czech GP and Brno respectively.
Jack Miller’s Uncertain Future With Yamaha
Australian rider Jack Miller’s future in MotoGP remains unsettled as Yamaha evaluates its rider lineup for 2026. Miller, currently 14th in the championship, competes for Pramac Yamaha and awaits clarity on contract decisions affecting him, Fabio Quartararo, and Alex Rins. He conveyed frustration over ongoing delays:
“Just waiting, playing the waiting game,”
and expressed hope for an imminent resolution.
“I’m very happy where I am and I feel I can improve and do more, but we’ll wait and see. I think they’re very happy with me, and I’ve made the call plenty of times to ask if there’s any more I can do, do different, whatever. I’m being as patient as possible.”
—Jack Miller, MotoGP Rider
Miller recently competed in the Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race in Japan, alongside Andrea Locatelli and Katsuyuki Nakasuga. He described the event as intense and rewarding:
“Humid and a lot of hard work, but also to come away with a podium was really nice,”
and noted the hard-fought battle with Honda teams during the race.
“To battle the whole race with Honda, they were the better man on the day, so hopefully we can go back and try to challenge them again. A good way to spend the summer break – you lose a week, but it was an unreal experience.”
—Jack Miller
This weekend, Miller will race the latest Yamaha YZR-M1 featuring upgraded fairings and enhanced electronics intended to improve control on the edge of traction. On the electronic updates, Miller remarked:
“The slide control … we’ve tested it a few times and it seems to be good and help us a little bit on the edge [of the tyre], just to be able to keep the spin under control. It’s just opening up another parameter in the electronic control unit that was already there. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t f**king change bugger-all, really … micro increments, you could say.”
—Jack Miller
LCR Honda’s Ongoing Rider Challenges
The LCR Honda team continues to face difficulties fielding a full lineup after Somkiat Chantra, their rookie rider, was sidelined again due to a right knee injury sustained in motocross training earlier this year. The Thai rider’s injury forces him out of multiple rounds, including Austria and the upcoming Hungarian GP at Balaton Park.
Despite efforts, LCR Honda has been unable to find a replacement rider, with several options ruled out due to recent injuries or lack of MotoGP experience. Takaaki Nakagami, who substituted previously, suffered a knee injury in the Czech Republic sprint race. Aleix Espargaro dealt with a thumb ligament tear, while Iker Lecuona fractured his wrist in World Superbikes. Xavi Vierge was considered but has not competed in MotoGP machinery, and Stefan Bradl declined an offer to fill in.
As a result, LCR Honda will again run with only Johann Zarco on the grid this weekend. Espargaro is expected to return for Hungary, but Honda’s second seat remains vacant amid these challenges.
Preview Summary and Implications for the Championship
The Red Bull Ring promises to be a pivotal venue in the 2025 MotoGP championship story. Francesco Bagnaia’s need to reclaim his confidence and adapt his riding to the Ducati GP25 will be tested on a circuit that demands flawless braking performance. Marc Marquez, riding with a commanding points advantage, is set to push for a landmark victory that has previously eluded him despite numerous close calls at Austria.
The unfolding contest at Spielberg will not only impact the race outcome but also influence the psychological momentum for the remainder of the season. Bagnaia’s ability to mount resistance here could shape his prospects into 2026, while Marquez’s discipline and strategic riding aim to convert his dominance into another championship title. Meanwhile, team dynamics and rider fitness across the paddock, including Miller’s contract situation and Honda’s lineup problems, add further dimension to this critical stage of the MotoGP calendar.
