Ducati’s dominance in MotoGP may be under threat as rival manufacturers show signs of resurgence — particularly Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, whose standout performance at the Spanish Grand Prix drew praise and caution from Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali.
While Ducati has been nearly untouchable over the past three seasons, winning every race in 2025 so far — including sprints and Sunday grands prix — Quartararo’s pole position and second-place finish at Jerez marked a major shift in momentum.
“This achievement is a wonderful moment,” Domenicali told GPOne, reflecting on Ducati’s streak. “It’s the fruit of long-term work with a good bike and strong riders. However, Fabio Quartararo showed his strength this Sunday, and that means the other manufacturers are working hard.”
Domenicali pointed to MotoGP’s concession system — reintroduced in 2024 — as a key factor enabling rivals like Yamaha and Honda to catch up. These concessions allow underperforming manufacturers additional testing, engine development, and race units, giving them more flexibility than frontrunners like Ducati.
“We’re not competing under equal rules,” he stressed. “Others have opportunities to develop more freely, and that’s why I believe the performance gap will start to close.”
Although Ducati’s streak remains largely intact — its only recent defeat coming at the hands of Aprilia in 2024 — Quartararo’s podium was Yamaha’s first since the 2023 Indonesian GP, and the first for any Japanese manufacturer since then. Honda, too, has shown progress, with Johann Zarco delivering a top-five finish for the team in recent rounds.
KTM nearly broke Ducati’s grip in Qatar, where Maverick Viñales briefly led and crossed the line second, before a tyre pressure penalty dropped him to 14th.
Domenicali’s warning underscores that while Ducati remains on top, the road ahead could be far less one-sided — especially if Quartararo and Yamaha continue their upward trend.
