Francesco Bagnaia shares ‘the truth’ about Alain Prost comparisons amid Marc Marquez rivalry

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Ducati’s 2025 MotoGP line up – Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez – are drawing comparisons to Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. The Formula 1 legends were involved in a bitter but iconic rivalry at McLaren in the late 1980s.

Senna joined McLaren in 1988 and immediately won the world championship, defeating his teammate by just three points. A year later, Prost took his revenge in a manner that remains controversial to this day.

Prost knew that a non-score for both drivers at the Japanese Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the season, would confirm him as champion. Sure enough, they dramatically locked wheels with just six laps remaining.

The Frenchman retired, and though Senna rejoined the track, he was disqualified because he needed a push from the marshalls. Prost took the title as a result.

One of the big questions ahead of the 2025 MotoGP season is whether Ducati can maintain harmony in the garage. Marquez and Bagnaia have won eight premier-class championships between them (six/two), making this one of the strongest combinations ever on paper.

But with that status, there comes the potential for conflict. The two riders have co-operated amiably this winter as Ducati decided on their engine for the year ahead, but the relationship will be truly tested when the competitive action starts in Thailand this weekend.

Francesco Bagnaia insists he’s not like Alain Prost as Marc Marquez takes Ayrton Senna role

Marquez sees the Senna/Prost comparison at Ducati, and speaking on DAZN’s ‘Dream Team’ programme, he appeared to cast himself in the role of the Brazilian. He said he preferred Senna’s ‘character’ having seen the 2010 documentary.

Bagnaia accepted that most would view him as the Prost figure. After all, he’s the incumbent at Ducati, much as ‘The Professor’ was at McLaren.

As his nickname suggests, Prost had a reputation as a deeply analytical thinker behind the wheel, whereas Senna supposedly drove with emotion. While Dorna and the MotoGP broadcasters may wish for a ‘war’, Bagnaia says neither rider wants that outcome.

• READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number

Bagnaia says he isn’t the same type of racer as Prost, who won four world championships and 51 Grands Prix.

“It is normal that I am compared more with Prost, but the truth is that I am not like Prost,” he said. “And, in any case, it would not make sense to start a war now. It is unproductive and it is not what I want, just as I do not think Marc wants it either.”

Franco Morbidelli issues verdict on Ducati battle ahead of Thailand Grand Prix

The presence of Valentino Rossi offers an added edge to the Marquez/Bagnaia battle. While ‘The Doctor’ is no longer racing in MotoGP, he remains present in the paddock through his ownership of VR46.

He’s also a close ally of Baganaia, having brought him through his academy. And there was strong animosity between Rossi and Marquez when they competed in the 2010s.

Rather than speaking directly, Bagnaia could ask Rossi to enlist press allies against Marquez this season. He insists he has little interest in playing such mind games, but that’s before the title battle gets underway.

Worryingly for Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli says Marquez looks like the quickest rider ahead of the Thailand Grand Prix. Even those within the Ducati stable expect the 32-year-old newcomer to start the season with the advantage.