The 2025 MotoGP season is off to a scorching start, but the real fireworks are happening off the track. Enea Bastianini, the Italian rider known as “The Beast,” has unleashed a scathing attack on eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, claiming he was unceremoniously sacked from the factory Ducati team to make way for the Spanish superstar. In an explosive interview following the announcement of Ducati’s 2025 lineup, Bastianini didn’t hold back, declaring, “I was fired for him,” pointing the finger squarely at Marquez for what he calls a ruthless human resources decision that has rocked the MotoGP paddock.

Bastianini’s departure from Ducati Lenovo Team, where he’s been a consistent podium contender, sent shockwaves through the sport. The 27-year-old, who won four races in 2022 and finished third in the 2023 championship, was informed in late 2024 that his contract would not be renewed for 2025. Instead, Ducati opted to retain reigning champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and promote Marquez, who joined the factory squad after a stellar debut season with Gresini Racing on a Ducati. The decision, Bastianini alleges, was driven by Marquez’s star power and commercial appeal rather than pure merit, leaving him feeling betrayed by a team he helped elevate.

“I gave everything for Ducati,” Bastianini fumed in an interview with MotoSprint. “I fought for wins, for podiums, for the team’s championship. And what do I get? A handshake and a ‘thanks, but we need Marc.’ It’s not about racing—it’s about politics and marketing. I was fired for him, plain and simple.” The Italian’s frustration is palpable, reflecting a broader tension within Ducati’s camp as Marquez’s arrival reshapes the team’s dynamics and threatens to overshadow its homegrown talent.

Marquez, for his part, has remained diplomatic but unapologetic. Speaking after a dominant victory at the 2025 Argentina Grand Prix, where he extended his championship lead, the Spaniard shrugged off Bastianini’s accusations. “I don’t make team decisions,” Marquez said, flashing his trademark grin. “I ride, I win, I do my job. If Ducati wants me, that’s their call.” Yet, his seamless integration into the factory team—complete with tailored technical upgrades like a new aerodynamic package—has only fueled speculation that Ducati is prioritizing Marquez as its title spearhead, potentially at the expense of riders like Bastianini.

The saga underscores the cutthroat nature of MotoGP’s team politics, where performance on the track is only part of the equation. Marquez, a global icon with a massive fanbase and sponsorship pull, represents a marketing juggernaut for Ducati, which is chasing both championship glory and brand dominance in the competitive motorsport market. Bastianini, despite his undeniable talent, lacks the same commercial clout, making him a sacrificial lamb in what some insiders describe as a “strategic overhaul” to maximize Ducati’s global appeal.

Paddock reactions to Bastianini’s outburst are mixed. Former world champion Casey Stoner, never one to mince words, sympathized with Bastianini, stating, “Enea’s been a warrior for Ducati, and this move stinks of corporate games. Marquez is a legend, but loyalty should mean something.” Conversely, pundit Neil Hodgson argued that Ducati’s decision was pragmatic: “Marquez is a proven champion who’s already winning on their bike. Enea’s great, but Marc’s a once-in-a-generation talent. It’s a business, not a charity.”

Bastianini’s exit raises questions about Ducati’s internal harmony. With Bagnaia and Marquez now sharing the factory garage, the team faces the challenge of managing two alpha riders with championship aspirations. Bagnaia, who has long been Ducati’s golden boy, reportedly expressed unease about Marquez’s influence, fearing a shift in team resources. Meanwhile, Bastianini’s comments have struck a chord with fans, many of whom see him as a victim of Ducati’s ambition to build a “superteam” around Marquez. Social media platforms are ablaze with #JusticeForEnea hashtags, with supporters rallying behind the Italian as he prepares to join KTM for 2025.

The move to KTM offers Bastianini a fresh start, but the scars of his Ducati exit run deep. The Austrian manufacturer, eager to challenge Ducati’s dominance, has promised Bastianini a competitive bike and a leading role alongside Pedro Acosta. Yet, the Italian remains driven by a desire to prove Ducati wrong. “I’ll show them what they lost,” he vowed. “Every race next year will be personal.”

As the 2025 season unfolds, the Bastianini-Marquez saga adds a layer of intrigue to an already fiercely competitive championship. Marquez’s blistering pace—three wins in four races—suggests Ducati’s gamble may pay off, but at what cost? Bastianini’s departure has exposed fault lines within the Italian manufacturer, raising questions about loyalty, fairness, and the price of chasing glory. For fans, the drama is a reminder that MotoGP is as much about human stories as it is about speed.

Whether Bastianini can channel his anger into success at KTM remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his rivalry with Marquez, now personal as well as professional, will be a defining storyline of the 2025 season. As the paddock heads to Jerez for the Spanish Grand Prix, all eyes will be on “The Beast” and the man he blames for his fall from Ducati’s grace. In MotoGP, grudges fuel greatness, and this one is just getting started.