Something ‘very interesting’ has just happened in the Ducati garage at Buriram MotoGP test

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Ducati began the 2025 MotoGP season by setting a blistering pace in the first official test at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit.

Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez tested two different bikes for the Italian manufacturer in the intense Asian heat.

Ducati must decide whether to use their new GP25 or revert to their GP24 design ahead of a two-year engine freeze on the European manufacturers.

The newer engine could have more potential in the long run, but they have extracted a lot more from the GP24, considering they have a lot more data on it.

Bagnaia said Marquez has done an incredible thing behind the scenes at Ducati and has delivered similar feedback to him on their bikes so far. It’s a positive start for the two rivals.

The two have clashed in the past but are trying to put it behind them. Bagnaia’s true feelings about Marquez joining Ducati are that he’s not fussed as long as nothing is taken away from his efforts to win the title.

Ducati make ‘very interesting’ bike decision at MotoGP’s Buriram test

Ducati will confirm their 2025 bike package after day one in Buriram, which is a huge decision for the trajectory of their programme over the next two seasons.

It leaves them with day two to fully adjust to their 2025 specification before turning their focus to the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix in two weeks.

Alex Marquez was just a tenth off Bagnaia’s 2024 pole time in Sepang and has looked rapid on his Gresini bike – a one-year-old GP24 now. Could it be the faster machine at this stage?

READ MORE: Ducati told they can afford one key ‘luxury’ over KTM and Aprilia with their 2025 MotoGP engine

Jack Appleyard reports that the factory team have made a very interesting decision and have been running the GP24 too on day one in Buriram.

“No headlining grabbing lap times from Buriram just yet, but the factory Ducati garage is very interesting,” he said. “Both Bagnaia and Marquez are only working with the GP24!

“New engine, new chassis, new aero have disappeared from Sepang.”

Alex Marquez accuses Ducati factory riders of lying after MotoGP test

After the Sepang test, Marquez refused to believe Ducati’s factory riders didn’t give their all during the qualifying simulations that were run.

If it was the case and they struggled to match the GP24 on the GP25 bike, it could push their decision the way of the older machinery.

It probably makes more sense to stick to what they know (and a bike that won 90% of the races last season) if they want to guarantee another championship charge.

READ MORE: Marc Marquez shares what he found ‘strange’ about his first photos in Ducati factory colours

Who knows what sort of gremlins the GP25 may throw up if they haven’t had enough time to nail down every single aspect of the bike?

Both Bagnaia and Marquez are going to want whatever is quickest, but reliability is always a factor. Deciding to go with the newer model would be bold but could have significant upside if they can extract further performance from it.