The 2025 Qatar Grand Prix has opened the MotoGP season with an explosion of controversy, and at the center of the storm is Franco Morbidelli, who made shocking accusations against the Marquez brothers, Marc and Alex, after their one-two finish on the Lsail circuit. Pramac Racing rider Morbidelli has however contained his frustration, declaring that the two Spaniards would “rig the race” to secure first and second place. His words, delivered with vehemence after a race that saw him finish in seventh place, have sparked an earthquake in the paddock and on social media, with thousands of fans debating the veracity of the accusations. While Ducati celebrates the domination of its GP25, the suspicion of irregularities casts a shadow over the Marquez triumph.

The race at Lυsail was a masterpiece for Marc Marquez, who took the victory with an unstoppable pace, leaving his brother Alex behind by more than two seconds. Their on-track synergy, with Marc making a perfect start and Alex following him closely, allowed the Gresini Racing team to celebrate a historic one-two. However, Morbidelli pointed the finger at the team, calling it an “unclear” strategy. According to the Italian, the Marquez brothers had made suspicious radio calls during the final stages, coordinating to slow down the group and prevent overtaking by rivals such as Francesco Bagaia and Enea Bastia, both of whom were official riders. “No, it wasn’t a coincidence, he manipulated everything,” Morbidelli told the press, visibly irritated.

The accusations went unnoticed. Bagaia, who finished third after a long distance, avoided making any direct comments, limiting himself to saying that “he races to win.” Bastia, on the other hand, was more cryptic, suggesting that “some things happen on the track, but it’s up to me to judge.” On the web, however, Morbidelli’s words have sparked a fierce debate. A post on X, shared thousands of times, highlighted a sudden exchange of glances between the Marqezes at the Parc Fermé, interpreted by some as evidence of premeditated pleasure. Others, however, defended the brothers, stressing that their superiority in Qatar was evident already in free practice, where Marc had set a record time of 1:50.321 in Q2.

This text makes the accusations even more serious. Ducati, which fields eight bikes on the grid, dominates MotoGP, but the tensions among its riders are palpable. Morbidelli, who moved to Pramac after a difficult few years, is trying to prove his worth, but his seventh place in Qatar left him satisfied. His performance, marred by grip problems and a mistake on turn 6, still lived up to expectations, and this may have fueled his frustration. Meanwhile, the Marquez brothers, both riding factory Ducatis, made the most of their experience and the potential of the GP25, which seems to be perfectly suited to the Lsail circuit, with its fast corners and straight line. Race Direction said it had received concrete evidence of irregularities, but Morbidelli’s words forced the organisers to review the Marquez telemetry data and radio communications. A team leader confirmed that “everything will be examined cautiously,” but without tangible evidence, it is unlikely that there will be any satisfaction. Then, Ducati technical director Gigi Dall’Igпa tried to calm the waters, praising the team work of all his riders, but avoiding directly committing the accusations. “The competition is tough, it is normal that there are sciпtille,” he said, with a tense smile.

The controversy comes at a crucial time for MotoGP. After 2024 dominated by Bagnaia, 2025 looks set to be an open war, with Marquez looking ready to challenge the reigning champion. The double in Qatar sent a clear message: Marc, eight-time world champion, is back at the top, and Alex is no longer just “my brother”. But Morbidelli’s words risked turning this rivalry into an open war. Yes X, Italian fans are supporting Franco, while Spanish fans are accusing Italy of looking for excuses for its lackluster performance. While the circuit prepares for the next race, all eyes are on Morbidelli and Marquez. Will Italy be able to prove its worth, or was it just a fit of anger? One thing is certain: MotoGP has never been so heated, and Qatar is just the beginning of a season that promises sparks on and off the track.