Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia has started the 2025 MotoGP season on the back foot against Marc Marquez at Ducati.
The Italian is looking to grab his third title in the premier class this season after Jorge Martin dethroned him in 2024. Bagnaia backs himself to win the championship – but teammate Marquez has already established a clear advantage.
At the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix, the Spaniard dominated the weekend with pole position and the Sprint and main race win. Bagnaia finished third in both races behind Gresini rider Alex Marquez.
It was a challenging weekend for the 28-year-old after he missed out on Q2 during Friday’s practice. Bagnaia was impeded by Franco Morbidelli on his final run.
The Italian did well to fight back to finish third but he offered little threat to his teammate. Bagnaia was ‘perplexed’ by Marquez’s strategy in Thailand as he could have extended his lead further after he suffered a tyre pressure issue.
Heading into the Argentina Grand Prix, Bagnaia will be keen to get the better of Marquez. However, he faces a tough task at the Termas circuit.
Francesco Bagnaia has listened to Pol Espargaro’s advice with his Argentina Grand Prix comments
Argentina is historically a strong track for Marquez. The Spaniard has the joint-most amount of wins in the nation with three (2014, 2016 and 2019).
Termas returns to the MotoGP calendar after last year’s race was cancelled. Argentina was subject to government spending cuts under the country’s new president.
As the Grand Prix returns to the calendar, ‘everyone in the paddock’ is expecting Marquez to win. Bagnaia knows he must approach the weekend with aggression if he wants to beat his Ducati teammate.
Marquez’s former Honda teammate Pol Espargaro warned Bagnaia he must take more risks during practice. The Italian cannot afford to bide his time with his Ducati producing his pace from the start of the weekend.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
It seems Bagnaia has taken that advice on board as he told the media in Argentina he will ‘have to be competitive right from the first session’.
The Ducati rider said in the press conference: “In Thailand, we did well given the situation, some things didn’t work well but we always have to improve.
“My goal wasn’t the podium, but considering the situation it wasn’t bad. On this circuit maybe I have to work harder, I’ll have to adapt to the situation, the track conditions aren’t the best. I’ll have to be competitive right from the first session.”
Scott Redding notices key difference between Francesco Bagnaia and Valentino Rossi in how they handle Marc Marquez
The intra-team battle between Marquez and Bagnaia will catch all the headlines in 2025. Many will anticipate a fierce rivalry to boil over – similar to that between the former and Valentino Rossi.
Marquez and Rossi produced one of the most dramatic rivalries in MotoGP history during the 2010s as the former beat the latter twice for the title. In some ways, their conflict is resurrected with Bagnaia – a product of Rossi’s VR46 academy.
It was suspected that Bagnaia could use Rossi to plant stories about Marquez and get an advantage. In fact, he has been the exact opposite.
The Italian has said he is committed to playing fair with his teammate. Bagnaia scolded fans for booing Marquez at a recent fan event in Italy – the hostility with Rossi fans is still present to this day,
Scott Redding commended Bagnaia’s approach with Marquez, stating he respected how he stood up for his teammate, unlike Rossi.
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