The United States Grand Prix weekend, held on March 30, 2025, at the Austin circuit, left the MotoGP world speechless, not only because of the spectacle on the track, but also because of an event that could change the balance of an already incandescent season. Marc Márquez, the Spanish champion who joined the official Ducati team, ended up under the scrutiny of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) for an alleged violation of the regulations during the race. He is accused of having manipulated the results, repeatedly ceding the lead to his brother Alex Márquez before overtaking him on the last lap to secure victory. This strategy, if confirmed, would constitute a serious violation of the regulations and has provoked an immediate reaction not only among the fans but also among Ducati’s top management, who took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to Valentino Rossi.

The Texan race was dominated by the Márquez brothers, with Marc taking pole position, the Sprint, and the long race, consolidating his lead in the 2025 world championship. However, his on-track behavior raised suspicions: for much of the race, Alex led the pack, with Marc behind him in a seemingly controlled position, only to overtake him with disconcerting ease in the closing laps. The FIM has opened an urgent investigation, analyzing telemetry data and radio communications that could demonstrate an agreement between the two to alter the race result in Alex’s favor without compromising Marc’s victory. A hypothesis that, if confirmed, would call into question the eight-time world champion’s sportsmanship and risk compromising the reputation of Ducati, which has bet everything on him for 2025.

The Ducati boss, identified by many as Gigi Dall’Igna, CEO of Ducati Corse, wasted no time in reacting. According to sources close to the team, he contacted Valentino Rossi directly, owner of the VR46 team and an influential figure in the paddock, to warn him: “We will not accept interference or criticism that destabilizes our project.” The message appears to be a clear reference to recent statements by Rossi, who has never hidden his disappointment over Márquez’s arrival at Ducati and who, after the Austin race, reportedly commented privately that “certain things just aren’t done in MotoGP.” The rivalry between Rossi and Márquez, born in 2015 in Sepang and never completely extinguished, has once again ignited the circus, with the “Doctor” perhaps seeing the episode as an opportunity to attack his historic rival.

Ducati’s position is delicate. After dominating MotoGP in recent years thanks to an impeccable strategy and riders like Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Márquez’s arrival was an ambitious but also risky market move. The Borgo Panigale-based company cannot afford for its investment to be overshadowed by scandals, especially at a time when the VR46 team, also powered by Ducati engines, is growing in competitiveness with riders like Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli. Rossi, who has always defended the values ​​of the sport and sees Bagnaia as his heir, could use the investigation to pressure Ducati and his new protégé, rekindling a cold war that seemed destined to remain secret.

Meanwhile, Márquez has chosen not to fuel the controversy. Interviewed after the race, he said: “I race to win, not to favor anyone. The numbers speak for themselves.” A response that doesn’t dispel the doubts, but reflects his determination to focus on the track, where he is enjoying an extraordinary season after his difficult years with Honda. Alex, for his part, denied any agreement: “We are brothers, but in the race everyone thinks about themselves.” However, the suspicion of an understanding between the two persists, and the FIM promises to clarify the situation between now and the next Spanish Grand Prix.

The Ducati boss’s warning to Rossi marks the beginning of a new chapter in this saga. The Italian manufacturer wants to protect its dominance and its star rider, but knows that any misstep by Márquez could have repercussions for the entire project. For Rossi, however, this is an opportunity to reassert his influence and defend the ethics of MotoGP, even at the cost of further distancing himself from the Borgo Panigale brass. With the investigation underway and the World Championship in full swing, 2025 promises to be a year of duels not only on the track but also behind the scenes, where strategies, grudges, and ambitions intertwine in an increasingly complex game.