Ducati made major sacrifices to secure Marc Marquez on a factory-spec GP25, but after disappointing testing, both he and Francesco Bagnaia will start the 2025 season on year-old bikes. This raises the question—was it worth it? Ducati’s refusal to give Marquez a GP25 at Gresini led to Jorge Martin leaving for Aprilia and Pramac switching to Yamaha, weakening Ducati’s overall presence on the grid.
Ironically, Marquez now rides the same GP24 he originally wanted at Gresini, undermining Ducati’s aggressive restructuring. Instead of six GP25s across teams, Ducati now has only two, with neither factory rider using them. Meanwhile, Aprilia and Yamaha have gained significantly, while Ducati’s reputation has taken a hit.
The shake-up has left Ducati vulnerable, with Martin’s departure making them look ungrateful and Pramac’s defection signaling instability. If Marquez fails to deliver a title, Ducati’s moves could be seen as one of MotoGP’s biggest blunders.
Ducati’s gamble on Marquez has yet to show clear benefits, while its losses are obvious. If the GP25 struggles, Aprilia and Yamaha could gain the upper hand, making Ducati’s path to another title even tougher. The 2025 season will reveal whether this was a bold vision or a costly mistake.
