The 2025 MotoGP season has kicked off with a bang, and the drama inside the Ducati camp is already stealing the spotlight. Two races in, and Marc Marquez has asserted an iron grip on the championship, leaving his teammate, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, scrambling in his dust. But it’s not just the on-track action that’s raising eyebrows—Ducati’s top brass are reportedly less than thrilled with how things are unfolding, and whispers about Bagnaia’s future are growing louder. Could this be the beginning of the end for the Italian star at Ducati? Let’s dive into the sizzling details.
Marc Marquez has come out swinging in 2025, and it’s no exaggeration to call it a domination. The eight-time world champion, now in his first season as a factory Ducati rider, has swept both the Thailand and Argentina Grands Prix—pole positions, sprint wins, and Sunday victories all in the bag. With 74 points from a possible 74, he’s sitting pretty atop the standings, a whopping 31 points ahead of Bagnaia. His performances have been nothing short of breathtaking, blending aggression with precision on the Desmosedici GP25 in a way that’s left the paddock stunned.
In Thailand, Marquez cruised to victory with a 2.398-second gap over Bagnaia, who settled for third. Argentina was even more brutal—5.5 seconds separated him from Pecco, who limped home in fourth. It’s the kind of form that’s got fans and analysts alike wondering if Marquez is back to his untouchable best, reminiscent of his 2014 rampage when he won the first 10 races. For Ducati, it’s a dream scenario—except when you consider the other side of the garage.
Pecco Bagnaia, the golden boy who delivered Ducati’s first riders’ titles since Casey Stoner in 2007, is having a nightmare start to 2025. After a stellar 2024 where he clinched 11 Grand Prix wins, the two-time champion has yet to sniff the podium this year. Third in Thailand, fourth in Argentina—it’s not the disaster it could be, but for a rider of Bagnaia’s caliber, it’s a far cry from where he expects to be. The 31-point deficit to Marquez after just two rounds is a gaping wound, and the Italian knows it.
Bagnaia’s woes seem to stem from a lack of harmony with the GP25. He’s hinted at issues with front-end feel and rear tire control, even floating the idea of reverting to the 2024-spec bike that carried him to glory last season. “Fourth is not my place. Even third is not my place,” he said after Argentina, a rare flash of frustration from the usually composed 27-year-old. He’s insisted that last year’s early struggles were worse, but with Marquez as a teammate now—ruthlessly consistent and mistake-free—the margin for error has vanished. Is it just misfortune, or is Pecco losing his edge?
Enter Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s mastermind and general manager, whose post-Argentina comments have set tongues wagging. While he praised Marquez’s “masterful” pace and “unshakable confidence,” his tone shifted when addressing Bagnaia. “I will not be satisfied with our results, no matter how excellent they are, until we have provided [Bagnaia] with the possibility of showing his full potential,” Dall’Igna said. “With all due respect, Pecco cannot and should not have to work so hard for a third place.”
It’s a stinging critique wrapped in support—a clear signal that Ducati isn’t happy with Bagnaia languishing behind Marquez. The subtext? The team expects more from their double world champion, and they’re not content to let Marquez’s brilliance paper over the cracks. Dall’Igna’s words hint at deeper tension: Ducati’s dream team was supposed to be a two-pronged attack, not a one-man show. With Marquez thriving and Bagnaia floundering, the balance of power in the garage is tilting fast—and the boss isn’t hiding his unease.
Here’s where the plot thickens. Bagnaia’s contract with Ducati runs through 2026, a two-year deal signed after his 2024 heroics. At the time, it seemed like a no-brainer—Pecco was the face of Ducati’s resurgence, a homegrown talent who’d proven he could deliver titles. But Marquez’s arrival has changed the game. Posts on X and paddock rumors are swirling that Ducati might rethink their commitment if Bagnaia can’t turn it around. “Pecco’s contract might not be as ironclad as we thought,” one X user speculated. “Marquez is the new king, and Ducati knows it.”
It’s not hard to see why the chatter’s heating up. Marquez, at 32, is showing no signs of slowing down, and his marketability—combined with his on-track results—makes him a golden goose for Ducati. Bagnaia, meanwhile, risks being cast as yesterday’s man if he can’t reclaim his mojo. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has historically favored shorter contracts to keep riders hungry, once saying long-term deals like Marquez’s old five-year Honda pact aren’t “right for the company.” Could they cut bait early if Pecco’s misfortune persists? It’s a long shot—terminating a contract mid-term isn’t cheap or simple—but the pressure’s mounting.
The next stop is Austin, Texas, for the Americas Grand Prix—and it’s a track that could widen the chasm. Marquez has won there seven times in 10 attempts, a veritable fortress for the Spaniard. Bagnaia? He’s never cracked the podium in a Grand Prix there, with just a 2023 sprint win to his name. If Marquez keeps his streak alive and Pecco stumbles again, that 31-point gap could balloon into a season-defining deficit before Europe even begins.
For Bagnaia, it’s not over yet. He’s got the talent, the team, and 20 rounds left to fight back. Ducati’s engineers are already tinkering to get him comfortable, and tracks like Assen—where he shines—could be his lifeline. But the clock’s ticking, and Marquez isn’t waiting. As for Ducati’s brass, their “not satisfied” stance is a warning shot: they want both riders firing, not just one. Whether Pecco rises or falls, one thing’s clear—this 2025 season is shaping up to be a wild ride, and the Ducati drama’s only just begun. Don’t blink—you might miss the next twist.
