Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati were forced to make a major decision regarding their MotoGP future at the Buriram test last week after just five days of running this season.
After listening to feedback from Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, the Italian manufacturer opted against moving forward with their GP25 engine for the next two years.
Ducati are subject to a two-year engine freeze alongside KTM and Aprilia as part of the concession system.
Bagnaia apologised for being a liar over Ducati’s 2025 engine and had instantly made up his mind about the new parts once he ran them. They were not to his liking.
It could offer a chance for their MotoGP rivals to catch up as they revert to some older pieces. Their upgrades have not been as effective as they would have hoped.
Jack Appleyard believes there’s a feeling Ducati are ‘standing still’ by going back to the GP24 engine, but with the extra data they have on it, they clearly feel more comfortable with what it brings to the table.
Ducati rejected GP25 after failing to perfect ‘very delicate’ engine braking
After winning 36/40 races on offer last year, even if Ducati decided to bring nothing to their bike over the winter, they would have been at the front.
An intense title battle is expected between their two riders, who have eight championships between them and are eager to add to that collection.
Marquez may already be playing ‘mind games’ with Bagnaia ahead of the season-opening Grand Prix of Thailand.
READ MORE: Ducati engineers are flabbergasted that Marc Marquez can’t do one thing ‘at all’ in MotoGP testing
Both are on each other’s side for now at least, and have decided that the engine braking from the newer unit was not up to their standards.
“It’s all about the engine braking strategy. Apparently, this engine was not nice for the riders,” said Peter Bom on The Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast.
“The way it was helping dealing with the engine brake phase, which is a very, very delicate phase. They couldn’t get it right, so in the end, they rejected this engine. Thank you, but not for now.”
Why Marc Marquez found first photos in Ducati’s red MotoGP colours ‘strange’
Marquez joins Ducati after one year with their satellite team, Gresini, where he managed three race victories on a one-year-old bike.
The six-time champion rediscovered some of his best form and now receives an opportunity to be on the best bike in the sport.
Marquez admitted he found his first Ducati photos strange as he wore red for the first time in his MotoGP career.
READ MORE: Alex Marquez hints that Ducati factory riders are ‘lying’ about one thing after MotoGP Sepang Test
He donned the orange overalls with Honda for 10 years before opting to move away from their struggling operation at the end of 2023.
2025 could be the year that he finally breaks a six-year run without competing for a championship. It will be an incredible spectacle for fans.
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