Ducati’s been facing a tough decision with their motorcycle choice, and after preseason tests in Sepang and Buriram, they’ve finally made up their minds. Gigi Dall’Igna, the general director and undisputed guru of the firm, has opted to stick with the DESMOSEDICI GP24 as their main motorcycle. This decision comes after Marc Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia put the GP25 through its paces, and both riders clearly preferred the previous prototype. The GP24’s extreme competitiveness was evident throughout the past season, so it’s no surprise they’re sticking with what works.
Now, you might wonder, what about the GP25? Well, according to Davide Tardazzi, the decision to use the 2024 engine for the next two seasons is already made. Tardazzi mentioned that it’s really difficult to improve the GP24, and despite their efforts, they didn’t quite get what they expected. Gigi Dall’Igna didn’t want to risk it, and that’s understandable. There’s even a possibility that they’ll maintain the chassis and aerodynamics of 2024, which suggests they might have reached their limit last year. However, Tardazzi did mention that there will be some changes, specifically in the electronics and suspension sections.
As for Álex Márquez’s performance, Tardazzi had a few words to say. Marc Márquez had commented that Álex’s performance with the Gresini team was the biggest surprise of the preseason tests. But Tardazzi wasn’t having it, saying that they knew Álex was going to perform well. He even joked that they’d told Marc Márquez he was wrong, and that Ducati and Tardazzi himself knew Álex was going to give it his all.
Tardazzi also warned that their rivals have stepped up their game, and they shouldn’t expect an easy ride. He thinks the rules are working, and that giving concessions to brands like Yamaha or Honda has helped level the playing field. He mentioned that Fabio Quartararo is growing, and Pedro Acosta is doing well, and he’s happy to see Marco Bezzecchi performing strongly in Thailand. Of course, they’re all waiting for Jorge Martín to return from his injury, and Tardazzi is confident that their pilots will be competitive in each race and for the championship. But he’s also aware that their rivals are strong, with good pilots and engineers, many of whom come from Ducati. So, they shouldn’t underestimate them, and they need to accumulate points because the championship is more important than winning every race.
In terms of satellite equipment support, Tardazzi emphasized that their satellite teams will play a crucial role. With Álex Márquez, Morbidelli, and Diggia on board, they’ll need to know how to compete with other brands without fighting against themselves. This could be a key factor in their success this season, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Álex’s performance
Tardazzi’s comments on Álex Márquez’s performance are worth noting. He seemed to downplay Marc Márquez’s surprise at Álex’s performance, saying that they knew he was going to do well. This could suggest that Ducati has a lot of faith in Álex, and they’re expecting big things from him this season.
Satellite equipment support
The support of their satellite teams will be vital for Ducati this season. With a strong lineup of riders, they’ll need to make sure they’re all working together to compete with other brands. This could be a key factor in their success, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.