It was all written. I can't find a single soul who thought this triumph was unrealistic, so obvious is the legend of Marc Marquez; his brother's second place is a bonus from history, a bonus from Mr. Spectacle for services rendered. All this deserves an analysis.
Easy
A word highlighted in my notebook catches my attention when I reread my notes: easy. It wasn't the description of the almost cruel race conditions, but rather the way Marc Marquez flew through the weekend. He did it easily, without being worried for a second. First, in qualifying. In 2024, Marc Marquez had a hard time getting his Desmosedici GP23 to work on a lap, which frequently led to him crashing out. But those who have followed this sport for a long time know that no one, through the ages, can't compete with Marc Marquez in Q2 when he gets down to it. Remember his demonstrations in 2014, but also, that pole position in Austin in 2015, after abandoning his bike on the pit wall. Remember that in 2023, he managed to get to pole in Portugal, while he had to deal with the capricious Honda RC213V. So it's not a surprise, no more than his victory in Sprint, moreover.
He was better in every way. At the beginning, first, while I thought that Bagnaia could perhaps make him doubt in this area. Not at all. Once in front, he quickly opened up a gap on his brother, again quite easily, without him suffering. Then, finally, this Grand Prix, almost poetic; his Phillip Island 2003. While he had achieved the same feat as the day before, he had to let his brother pass to avoid any penalty related to low tire pressure. In the stifling heat of the slipstream, in the heart of the Thai furnace – 37°C at the start – he seemed just as easy as in front. It was visible to the naked eye: in turn 3, he was closing in on Alex, but, deliberately, stayed behind. In turn 4, his big strong point on this circuit, he was getting up close, but not attacking.
We were back in 2019, when Marc Marquez, on a Honda, was having fun with his favorite prey, Fabio Quartararo. As expected, he passed his brother without the latter being able to counterattack. Yes, I maintain that the melee is Marc Marquez's weak point, but I can't blame Alex for not responding: No doubt he was already very happy to be in second place., and with such worn tires, any failed attempt would have been difficult to justify.
No crying! @marcmarquez93 kept his promise to his young superfan ❤️#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/kK6NvtjpoN
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 2, 2025
In just a few turns, Marquez took a second and seven tenths from his brother, more than Bagnaia was ever able to glean from the same Alex Marquez throughout the entire race. That's how much he was superior to the competition.
No pressure
One day, perhaps, I will look into this question of pressure. What made the MotoGP so attractive? In my opinion, the fact that it is the only category where the drivers are flat out from the lights out until the checkered flag is presented, without strategy, saving rubber or any other nuisance at all racing spirit. If drivers are forced to let opponents pass to avoid penalties, our discipline is losing its interest, because it truncates its true identity, what we fell in love with it for. It is the most accessible motorsport because it is so clear. Go and explain why Marquez suddenly slowed down from one second to the next for no reason to a novice who is discovering MotoGP in 2025. I am aware that this question is delicate, because, after careful study, it is difficult to "do better", to avoid any cheating and danger. But still, it's annoying and it doesn't exist anywhere else.
Ironically, I would almost thank Marc Marquez for creating this artificial spectacle., because without it, the first round of this season would have been very boring.
Where was Bagnaia?
Since I won't be dedicating any articles to him in the next ten days, here is a chapter on Pecco Bagnaia. Honestly, I was quite disappointed. Yes, I know that we must not get carried away, that the season has only just begun and that one Grand Prix is not enough to draw any serious conclusions. But I certainly didn't expect him to be so far from Marc Marquez. – who I saw as the winner of both races. Bagnaia is usually strong in Buriram: he distinguished himself there in the rain in 2022 and 2024 (third and first), and did not disgrace himself in 2023 (third at the finish, second after Binder was demoted).
The Italian opted for the damage control, and leaves Thailand with big points. This was particularly obvious during the Sprint: he didn't push to join Alex Marquez at the end. Twice third is better than nothing, but as I said in my predictions, he won't be able to beat Marc Marquez in the game of consistency. He will have to win, too, and it is clear that he was extremely far from that in Buriram.
I'm curious to know what you thought of this Grand Prix, between boredom and spectacle. Tell me in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport