We may be only two races in, but with another dominant weekend for the Marquez/Ducati trio and another lacklustre performance from Bagnaia, are we too early to see a trend? On balance, you’d have to say no, that Bagnaia and the other Ducati riders will have a say in proceedings sooner rather than later and, hopefully, throughout the season. Bagnaia even indicated that he might revert to last year’s GP24, on which he was so comfortable.
A Ducati whitewash is all but inevitable. On initial showings, it’s not looking likely that Honda, KTM or Yamaha will be able to challenge consistently at the front, relying yet again on freak conditions to spring a surprise.
Aprilia is a bit more difficult to predict, with the absence of Jorge Martin, but Ai Ogura’s performances have been brilliant and show that there is something in the RS-GP that will allow it to fight at the front, as long as it suits Martin’s riding style. Having missed so much pre-season testing, when he does return, he will have to do his testing and familiarisation during Grand Prix weekends; never an easy task.
It was always known that Argentina and the U.S.A. would play into Marc Marquez’ strengths, but there must have been a few groans up and down the pit lane when he and brother Alex took off at the front and then when Marc got past and took a relatively easy win. He’s looking so comfortable on the Ducati, and it’s doing what he both expects and wants it to do; it’s a dangerously effective combination, and it doesn’t seem as if anyone can do anything about it right now.
Despite the processional look to the race, there was tension at the front, even if the outcome was rather predictable; predictable but not certain as Alex Marquez was looking very comfortable in the lead but there is just something inexorable about Marc; that he would win was never really in doubt, if we’re honest.
More excitement was to be found behind the Marquez pair, as first Johann Zarco’s LCR Honda improbably tussled with Bagnaia, then Franco Morbidelli took over and took third place away from Bagnaia. It is high time that Morbidelli starts to earn his keep, which he certainly has to as he is the only Ducati seat that is up for grabs in 2026. Given KTM’s on-track struggles and overall uncertainty about the team’s future, there are inevitably many rumours doing the rounds that Pedro Acosta could jump ship for 2026 to Ducati – more specifically, Morbidelli’s seat – long-term KTM contract notwithstanding. He is certainly a talent that deserves the best equipment, and I don’t think there is anyone in the pit lane who wouldn’t like to see KTM up there with the leaders at every race, but sadly, they’re just not managing to get there.
Make no mistake, where KTM has got to in a few short years, compared to the multi-decade careers of the likes of Honda and Yamaha, is nothing short of remarkable, but the last few percentage points of development are eluding the Austrian concern. Following Ducati’s dominant 2007, the team languished in the wilderness for many years before Gigi Dall’Igna came on board, so a long gestation period is nothing new, but with the attendant financial worries that KTM is facing, will the team last long enough to come right?
In terms of our entertainment in 2025, we have to hope that Bagnaia, Martin, and all the rest will close the gap to the Marquez brothers. I don’t really care if Marquez wins every race, as long as each race result is in doubt to the last corner of the last lap. On the evidence of the first two races, that may be a forlorn hope.
A word or two about Simon Crafar, ex-racer, ex-TV pundit and now head race weekend steward for the FIM (and, no doubt, working behind the scenes with the FIM on safety and the spectacle of the series.)
When he was first introduced to us on our screens during race weekends, he was clearly uncomfortable, to the point where his on-screen personality came across as slightly inept. However, if you listened carefully, all the expertise he later brought to the job was there for all to see; he just didn’t know how to be natural and relaxed.
Happily, as he grew into the role, his pieces – either on the microphone or to camera – became well-presented and fascinating insights, allowing his natural affinity with what he was talking about to shine through, and he had a flair for putting even the most technical details into layman’s terms without seeming condescending; they were erudite and entertaining and he became a highlight of the race weekends.
It seemed a real shame, therefore, when it was announced that he would be exchanging the commentary team for the stewards’ room during race weekends. A loss for us, the viewers, certainly, but it seems, on early evidence, that it is an excellent move for MotoGP in general.
The first two races of the 2025 season might have been lacking in absolute excitement at the front, but that’s not to say that there haven’t been plenty of incidents throughout the weekends that have required investigation and potential penalties applied. And, throughout all, the stewarding has been notable for its calm-headedness, and there has been a clear indication that common sense is prevailing.
Stewards have generally been chosen in terms of their racing experience and have, for the majority, been excellent at their jobs. But not all have been universally liked.
Of course, that’s irrelevant; whether they are liked or not, and neither is it an indication of competency. But this isn’t a question of personal feelings; some have just rubbed the riders up the wrong way, and the lack of consistency and transparency of decisions have been issues all too often at the forefront of criticism. None of us can know the internal or external pressures of making decisions in mere minutes, without the benefit of hindsight, and there always is the human element to contend with.
The Crafar era has started well, with both consistency and common sense prevailing, and he has been widely praised for both qualities. Now, all we need to see is him once again in front of the camera, explaining why a particular penalty was awarded, so that the logic (or otherwise) is there for all to see. For sure, there will be some questionable decisions, but if these remain in the minority, then it’s a win for MotoGP and for us, the spectators.
