The duel between Bagnaia and Marquez isn't just being played out on the track, but also in the Ducati pits. While Marc leads the championship with a 93-point lead over Pecco, their technical differences are threatening the team's harmony.
The garage Ducati Lenovo is a real battlefield in 2025. Marc Marquez, leader of championnat, dominates the Desmosedici GP25 with ease. Meanwhile, Pecco Bagnaia, double world champion of the brand, is languishing in third place, at 93 points from his teammate. The gap is colossal, and the tension palpable. At the heart of the conflict? An internal war over settings et aerodynamics of the motorcycle, revealing two opposing visions. Who will prevail in this technical and psychological duel?
After the Aragon Grand Prix, Ducati unveiled a new fairing aerodynamics to make the GP25 lighter and more maneuverable. The feedback from the drivers? Diametrically opposed. bagnaia, in search of confidence, exults: “ This is the most positive test of the season. I can't wait to ride with this fairing " On the other side of the stand, Marquez remains skeptical: " we need to analyze it in depth, test it on another circuit, introduce it gradually. ".
During the tests, Marc, which uses a configuration close to the GP24 from his brother Alex at Gresini, did not improve his times with this new equipment. On Sunday, in the race, I used the same bike as Alex, because we still have to fine-tune these new elements. "He says. bagnaia, he sees in this fairing a glimmer of hope to regain his lost feeling.
Marc Marquez the adaptable vs. Pecco Bagnaia the analytical at Ducati
The debate does not stop at aerodynamics. 355 mm brake discs, adopted by bagnaia, crystallize the divergences. For Pecco, this change is a revelation: " I found my feeling again, which allowed me to get back on the podium "The data confirms that he brakes harder than anyone else, but he is surprised: " This season, I brake less, and we don't know why. With the 355 mm, I manage better »
Marc, on the other hand, remains unmoved: " I didn't feel any difference. It's just a little heavier, less responsive, with a slight gain at the end of the straight line.. ". Fabio DiGiannantonio, another GP25 driver, shares the opinion of Marquez, leaving bagnaia isolated in his choice.
The crux of the problem lies in their approaches. Marquez, pragmatic, adapts to everything, even the faults of the GP25. When you try a lot of settings and you don't feel comfortable, You're the problem, not the bike. " he says, an implicit tackle to bagnaiaThe latter, known for his sensitivity to detail, suffers from a lack of confidence up front: " As soon as I brake hard, I feel like the front wheel is going to slip. This limits me enormously.. ». He regrets the GP24, which he considers more stable, and has even considered returning to it, although the engine and aerodynamics are frozen until 2026. Marquez, he excels with a 2025 engine optimized for his aggressive style, favoring an incisive front end that he compensates for with his handling.
The team manager Davide Tardozzi insists: “ Pecco is not under pressure. We are working to restore his confidence.. ». But tensions are rising. Some observers, like Ricard Jové, go further: " Ducati is starting to lose respect for Pecco. He has to come to terms with Marquez dominating him.. ".
The choice of the 2025 engine, decided in pre-season, already illustrates this dilemma. Marquez advocated caution with the GP24, while bagnaia saw potential in the new engine, despite its flaws. The result: a compromise that seems to benefit Marc. With the new fairing, bagnaia could adopt a different configuration, but Marquez Would he accept a return to the past? Gigi Dall'Igna, technical boss, will have to decide.
The burning question is: could the two drivers adopt separate configurations? bagnaia pushes for specific adjustments, like the 355mm brakes or the new fairing, while Marquez prefers a gradual approach. We must think : Do it now or wait for Misano? The sensations are good, but the times remain similar , Note MarcThis divergence could lead to a "technical separation", where each rider would optimize his bike according to his style. But to progress, Ducati imposes a common engine, forcing an agreement. Without consensus, the risk of open conflict grows, with repercussions on the harmony of the box.
Marc Marquez, with its current dominance, seems to have the upper hand. Its ability to " drive a tractor » gives him a psychological and technical advantage. bagnaia, in search of its mojo, is banking on precise adjustments to turn things around. The next test MotoGP à Misano and the races before the summer break will be crucial. If Ducati If they manage to reconcile their visions, the GP25 could become unbeatable. Otherwise, this internal duel could weaken the team.
