Marc Márquez, the eight-time world champion, has consistently proven that he’s one of the most resilient and talented riders MotoGP has ever seen. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, many wonder: Is Márquez on track to claim his ninth world championship? While MotoGP is unpredictable, the signs are pointing to a highly competitive campaign, and here’s why.
The Gresini Ducati Chapter
Márquez currently rides for Gresini Ducati, a satellite team in MotoGP. Satellite teams operate with fewer resources compared to factory outfits, which is a key factor in Márquez’s current situation. The Gresini team doesn’t have the luxury of running the latest GP24 bike, which is used by factory Ducati teams, such as those of Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martín. Instead, Márquez is competing on the GP23—a machine that, while formidable, is a step behind in terms of updates and performance.
Despite this, Márquez has consistently delivered stunning performances throughout the 2024 season, keeping the factory GP24s of Bagnaia, Martín, and others on edge. What makes his efforts even more impressive is that while his bike remains static in terms of development, the factory riders are continually receiving mid-season upgrades, giving them a performance edge that Márquez simply does not have. And yet, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Mind-Blowing Performances on Older Machinery
The gap between the GP23 and GP24 isn’t just about horsepower or lap times; it’s about continual development. Factory bikes benefit from constant adjustments throughout the season, making them progressively faster. Márquez, however, has pushed his GP23 beyond its limits, turning heads with his phenomenal comebacks and racing acumen.
One of the standout moments from the 2024 season was at Aragón, a track where Márquez has historically excelled. True to form, he dominated every session: topping Free Practice 1, Free Practice 2, and qualifying, and then leading every lap of the race. His margin of victory was so commanding that he made the competition appear to be on Moto2 bikes. It was a masterclass of riding—a reminder of just how dangerous Márquez can be when everything clicks.
At Misano, another turning point came when rain fell on race day. Rain is where Márquez truly shines, as the changeable conditions tend to favour his uncanny ability to read the track better than anyone else. Starting from ninth on the grid, he found himself in 6th as the rain started to fall and as the track grip levels became less reliable, Márquez went from 6th to the lead in like 4 corners, showcasing his adaptability and sheer skill in changing conditions.
The Qualifying Puzzle
While his race pace has been electrifying, Márquez has struggled with qualifying in 2024. Crashes in multiple qualifying sessions have left him starting from less-than-ideal positions. These crashes are often the result of Márquez pushing his Ducati to its absolute limit—sometimes beyond it. But even when he’s crashed out of qualifying, he’s made breathtaking comebacks during the races.
One notable instance was at Le Mans, where he came from 13th on the grid to finish on the podium, another would be Márquez gaining 12 and 11 positions in the sprint and the main race at the Catalan GP. These charges through the field have become a hallmark of Márquez’s 2024 season, proving that he’s never out of the fight, no matter where he starts on the grid. That said, improving his qualifying form in 2025 will be essential if he’s to give himself the best shot at championship number nine.
The Factory Ducati Move: A Game-Changer for 2025
Perhaps the most exciting prospect for Márquez fans is his impending move to the factory Ducati team for 2025. For the first time in several years, Márquez will be on equal machinery to his main rivals. The GP24 will no longer be a factor—he’ll have the same tools as the reigning champion, Bagnaia, and his primary challenger, Martín.
In 2024, despite riding a year-old bike, Márquez has consistently been the highest-placed GP23 rider in the championship standings. As of the latest race, he’s sitting just five points behind Bagnaia’s teammate, Enea Bastianini, and has outperformed Franco Morbidelli on a GP24. If Márquez can do this on a year-old bike, the prospect of what he can achieve on a factory machine is tantalizing.
What Does This Mean for 2025?
If Márquez’s 2024 performances are anything to go by, he’ll be a serious threat for the 2025 title. With a factory Ducati beneath him, the playing field will be level, and Márquez’s relentless pace and racecraft could give him the edge over Bagnaia and Martín. His ability to read a race, his unmatched skill in changing conditions, and his unwavering determination to win make him a formidable opponent, even for the likes of Bagnaia, who is currently at the top of his game.
In the end, what could make the difference is not just the bike but also Márquez’s mindset. Throughout his career, he’s proven time and again that he thrives under pressure. His willingness to push the limits, his unrivalled adaptability, and his pure racing instinct set him apart from the competition.
As he steps into the factory Ducati team in 2025, there’s every reason to believe that championship number nine is not just a possibility—it’s a very real likelihood. With equal machinery, Márquez could very well dominate the grid once again, and the rest of the MotoGP field should be on high alert.
Conclusion
Marc Márquez’s 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. After a season of outperforming on a year-old GP23, he’ll finally have the tools he needs to go head-to-head with the likes of Bagnaia and Martín on a level playing field. With his undeniable talent, relentless pace, and ability to thrive in any conditions, Márquez is poised to make a serious run at his ninth world championship.
MotoGP fans should brace themselves—because if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Marc Márquez, it’s that he’s never done fighting. And in 2025, with a factory Ducati at his disposal, it’s going to take something truly extraordinary to stop him from claiming championship number nine.
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