Ducati is betting on using the same engine base that has swept MotoGP since 2024, extending its life until new technical regulations are introduced in 2027.
When Marc Marquez arrived in the official Ducati garage for testing in Valencia in November 2024 to compare the GP24 and GP25, he realized there was a huge difference between the prototype he was testing and the GP23 he raced in Gresini that same year. But neither the Spaniard nor his teammate Francesco Bagnaia was left out when it came to choosing the 2024 championship bike or ’25.
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“Both drivers agree with their comments”, this is the official version and endorsed by the drivers themselves in statements, which gives meaning to the manufacturer’s statement that “the engines are almost identical”.
In its first year, GP24 dominated the championship. Bagnaia won 11 of 20 grands prix and an additional five in sprint races, Jorge MartÃn took the world title with three wins on Sunday and seven on Saturday, while Enea Bastianini completed his dominance with two race wins and two more sprint wins. Marc Marquez in Gresini’s GP23 and Maverick Vinales in Aprilia are the only two drivers to win the 2024 Grand Prix.
The step from a 2023 engine to a 2024 engine is a giant leap for the Desmosedici, the culmination of Borgo Panigale chief engineer Gigi Dall’Igna’s work, and although statements about the engine have been vague during this time, the manufacturer has clarified that it has been working around that base powerplant ever since.
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In addition, after officially announcing in May 2024 that MotoGP would introduce new technical rules starting in 2027, Ducati understood that having an almost “invincible” engine would not make much sense in building a new engine from scratch in 2025. Not to mention, all manufacturers except Yamaha have their engines frozen until 2026.
“This year’s engine is more than 90 per cent the same as last year and two years ago,” the Italian manufacturer explained to Motorsport.com.
The remaining 10% corresponds to external surrounding components that are not affected by engine freeze. “The engines are almost identical, they are equipped with the same components; the only changes, from one year to another, are the reference to the materials of certain components, seeking greater reliability,” it added.
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Alex Marquez, Grasini Ducati
Alex Marquez, Grasini Ducati
Drivers tight-lipped on engine specs
At the first pre-season test in Valencia last November, Alex Marquez stepped out of the GP24 and rode a theoretically latest-spec Desmosedici, the same one that Marc Marquez and Bagnaia had in their garages. The Gresini driver, who just finished second in the championship, did not reveal the engine he was using.
“I feel good about this ‘different’ bike, I don’t want to give it a name, whether it’s GP25, GP26 or whatever, it’s just different. I feel good and that’s the positive,” admitted the Catalan as soon as he got off the bike.
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Following this month’s Sepang test, young Max continues to talk about aerodynamic testing and setup. “There was a lot to test in pre-season, Gigi got into the box more and I was the first one to put in the new aerodynamics,” he revealed last week.
On the final day of testing in Sepang, Max set the fastest time in a sprint simulation, beating Bagnaia and his older brother, before again insisting on aerodynamic issues but making no mention of the engine.
“I haven’t decided on the aerodynamics yet, but I feel more comfortable with what I had last year. The potential is similar; everything depends on the characteristics of each track,” he said.
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Neither Mark Marquez nor Bagnaia spoke about the engine during the Sepang test. They were limited to commenting on testing the new aerodynamics and the good feel that the Italians didn’t find last year.
Protect Bagnaia and its business
Although Ducati has now admitted to keeping the same engine in its MotoGP prototypes since 2024, surprisingly the Italian manufacturer did not put to rest rumors and speculation last season as to whether the 2025 engines used by Marc Marquez and Bagnaia were worse than Alex Marquez’s 2024 engine.
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The source noted that “Ducati’s priority is always to work hard so that Peco can return to his best, which includes maintaining as calm an environment as possible around him.” This means it would further put the Italian in trouble if it were revealed that Bagnay and Alex Marquez were racing an almost identical bike.
In addition, a key aspect must be considered: the commercial aspect. Ducati sells bikes to satellite teams, charging lower prices for previous year models and doubling the prices for the latest specs.
So when Ducati charges up the Gresini and VR46 to give Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio the latest spec bikes, there’s value in the GP nomenclature and bike year.
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The official stance is that all Ducati riders this year will be equipped with nearly the same engines as the 2024 models. From that point on, manufacturers will decide which aerodynamics, chassis and swingarm will be used on each car depending on whether it is a GP25 or GP26.
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