Ducati is undeniably the team to watch, and it’s easy to see why – they’ve signed Marc Márquez and are clear favorites to take the title in 2025. On the surface, it seems like they’ve got a foolproof plan in place. They’ve assembled a dream team, with their two riders boasting an impressive 11 world titles between them, and the DESMOSEDICI GP25 is widely considered the most formidable machine on the MotoGP grid.
However, despite all the positive buzz surrounding the team, there are still some challenges to overcome. One of the main issues they’ve been grappling with is braking problems with the new engine proposed for 2025. After careful consideration, the team at Ducati has decided to stick with the old model – a decision that wasn’t made lightly. In fact, they’d been weighing their options for a while, and it was only after hearing feedback from their riders during the preseason tests in Sepang and Buriram that they made their final decision.
Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s guru, has been vocal about the reasons behind this choice. According to him, the team had already suspected that they might need to continue with the 2024 engine after collecting data from tests held in Barcelona last November. The more complicated decision, however, was choosing the aerodynamic package for the start of the 2025 season.
As Dall’Igna revealed in a LinkedIn post, the team had been considering their options for some time. “It was already clear in Montmeló that the new power unit, although it was advantageous in terms of benefits and ease of piloting, revealed a more complicated motor brake management,” he explained. “Therefore, we were already prepared, in part, to confirm the 2024 version, and everything was ready for that choice.”
The aerodynamic package, on the other hand, proved to be a tougher decision. While it offered undeniable advantages, particularly on tracks like Buriram, it also carried some risks – especially on circuits with faster curves, such as Argentina and Qatar. Ultimately, the team opted for a more cautious approach, deciding to test the package again with some improvements at the next Jerez test, scheduled for April 28.
With their sights set on a fourth consecutive title, Ducati knows they can’t afford to make any mistakes. Their competitors, including KTM and Aprilia, as well as Japanese squads Yamaha and Honda, have all strengthened their lineups, thanks in part to the concession system. For now, Ducati is sticking with a formula that’s proven successful in the past. As Dall’Igna put it, “Only if whatever it was obviously superior to the 2024 version would it be applied immediately from the first race. The rest will be evaluated calmly, improved, and implemented throughout the season.”
Time will tell if this strategy pays off, but for now, the signs are looking good. Marc Márquez finished the tests with an impressive time, and he’s currently the favorite to win the Thailand Grand Prix. Pecco Bagnaia and Álex Márquez are also looking strong, making for an exciting start to the contest.
