Francesco Bagnaia had a confident start as he surpassed Marc Marquez’s speed in a thrilling practice session at the Qatar GP MotoGP 2025

Francesco Bagnaia has made it clear that he’s not ready to relinquish his status as Ducati’s leading rider. Despite a difficult start to the 2025 MotoGP season, the reigning world champion has sent a powerful message at the Qatar GP. After outpacing Marc Marquez during Friday practice and building on his recent win at the Americas GP, Bagnaia declared himself “very close” to the legendary Marquez in terms of pure speed. His remarks, backed by encouraging track performance, hint at a brewing rivalry that could define the season.

The Ducati garage has become the center of attention, not just for its championship-winning machinery, but for the tense dynamic between Bagnaia and Marquez, who now share the same factory colors. Their intra-team battle is intensifying with each passing race weekend, and the Qatar GP may be the turning point that propels Bagnaia back into firm title contention.

Bagnaia’s Rocky Start to the Season

Coming into the Qatar GP, Francesco Bagnaia had not lived up to the lofty expectations set after his 2024 title run. A string of underwhelming performances in Thailand, Argentina, and even at his victorious Americas GP appearance left questions about whether he could consistently challenge Marquez—who had already emerged as a front-runner on the same factory Ducati.

Bagnaia’s early-season inconsistency wasn’t just about results—it was about rhythm and psychological confidence. At times, he seemed lost in the shuffle amid a rising field of contenders, including Gresini’s Alex Marquez and VR46’s Franco Morbidelli. Notably, Bagnaia failed to make Q2 in Thailand and nearly repeated that misstep in both Argentina and Austin, showing a worrying lack of one-lap pace.

But in Qatar, everything changed.

A Vital Friday for Francesco Bagnaia

During the Friday practice sessions at Lusail, Bagnaia not only found his rhythm—he took control of it. He topped the timesheets in the final session of the day, securing his direct passage into Q2 and crucially beating Marc Marquez in the process. The psychological significance of this moment can’t be overstated. While Marquez was faster in Free Practice 1—more than half a second ahead—Bagnaia responded with a measured and aggressive performance in the evening, signaling that he’s closing the gap.

Speaking after the session, Bagnaia said: “I think I and Marc, right now, are the fastest. We’re very close to each other. I feel like, for the first time this season, I’ve been able to show the real pace of our bike.”

The factory Ducati team decided not to use soft tires for a final time-attack run, underscoring their confidence in the pace already demonstrated. This strategic move suggests that Bagnaia and Marquez are playing the long game, focusing more on race simulations and tire data than headline lap times.

Qatar: A Historical Weak Spot for Marquez

Qatar hasn’t always been kind to Marc Marquez. Despite his legendary status and record-breaking career, Lusail remains one of the few tracks where he hasn’t dominated. The Spaniard has only one MotoGP victory at this venue, and his comments ahead of the race were telling. At the Thursday press conference, Marquez admitted, “This is the first race [this season] where, on paper, Alex and Pecco should be better than me based on historical results.”

These remarks could reflect an honest assessment of the challenge ahead—or a subtle psychological ploy. Either way, it’s clear Marquez doesn’t consider himself the favorite in Qatar. And Bagnaia, fresh off a win in America and with newfound pace in Lusail, is ready to seize the moment.

The Intra-Ducati Rivalry: Marquez vs. Bagnaia

The most captivating storyline of the 2025 MotoGP season might not come from inter-team rivalries, but from the simmering battle between Marquez and Bagnaia under the Ducati umbrella. What began as a respectful coexistence has quickly developed into a test of egos, racecraft, and psychological endurance.

Marc Marquez’s transition to the factory Ducati team brought seismic waves through the MotoGP paddock. From the moment the announcement was made, fans and experts alike predicted fireworks. Marquez is a multiple-time world champion with an unmatched instinct for overtaking and race strategy. Bagnaia, on the other hand, represents Ducati’s current era—calculated, clinical, and deeply connected with the bike’s evolution.

Until Qatar, Bagnaia had not managed to beat Marquez on pure pace in any race weekend this season. His win in Austin was aided by Marquez’s crash, casting a shadow over the achievement. But with this performance at Lusail, Bagnaia is finally showing he can outpace Marquez when it matters.

The balance of power within Ducati is still in flux, and both riders know it. Every qualifying lap, every overtake, every practice session counts—not just for the championship, but for internal bragging rights.

Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez Add to the Ducati Equation

While Bagnaia and Marquez draw the headlines, other Ducati riders are quietly making waves. Franco Morbidelli, riding for VR46 Ducati, placed second in Friday’s final session, ahead of both factory riders. His resurgence adds another dimension to Ducati’s dominance.

Meanwhile, Alex Marquez has been the most consistent Ducati rider so far in 2025. Despite not winning a race, he has finished second in every sprint and GP, putting him at the top of the championship standings. This makes him the most successful Ducati rider on paper—even if his performances lack the flash of his brother or Bagnaia.

For Bagnaia, this underscores the urgency. If he wants to reclaim his place as the top Ducati rider, he’ll have to contend not only with Marc but also with satellite team aces like Alex and Morbidelli.

What’s Next for Bagnaia?

If Bagnaia can convert this Friday momentum into a podium—or better yet, a win—in Qatar, it could spark a mid-season resurgence. With several tracks on the calendar where he has historically performed well, including Mugello and Misano, a strong result here could be the catalyst he needs to close the gap in the championship standings.

Consistency remains his biggest hurdle. Ducati’s machinery is arguably the best on the grid, but extracting its full potential every weekend is no easy task. With Marquez adapting quickly and Alex Marquez already leading the standings, Bagnaia cannot afford any more slip-ups.

The mental aspect of racing is crucial at this level, and Bagnaia appears to have turned a corner. His post-practice comments were confident but grounded, showing he’s no longer feeling overshadowed. “Today was the first time I’ve been this close in pace. That gives me belief,” he said. If he can carry that belief into Saturday and Sunday, expect fireworks.

Championship Implications and Ducati’s Dilemma

The outcome of the Qatar GP will not only influence the points table but also shape Ducati’s team dynamics moving forward. With three of their riders in top form and fighting for wins, Ducati faces the classic dilemma of team orders versus open competition.

Do they support the defending champion Bagnaia in his quest to repeat? Do they throw their weight behind the consistent Alex Marquez? Or do they allow the gladiators to battle freely, risking internal clashes but thrilling fans?

It’s a high-class problem for Ducati but a precarious one. Team harmony can quickly unravel when multiple title contenders share the same machinery. One thing is certain: Bagnaia will not back down. And neither will Marquez.

Conclusion: Bagnaia’s Qatar Breakthrough Could Define the Season

Francesco Bagnaia’s performance at the Qatar GP may not win him the title, but it could be remembered as the turning point in his 2025 campaign. After weeks of struggling to keep up with his Ducati peers, Bagnaia has shown he’s still a force to be reckoned with.

His duel with Marc Marquez is just beginning. As they continue to push each other to the limit, fans are in for a thrilling season. With Bagnaia declaring himself “very close” to Marquez, the psychological tide may be shifting. Whether it results in more victories remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the battle for Ducati supremacy is far from over.