2025 Official Buriram MotoGP Testing Outcomes – Second Day (Thursday)

Recorded lap times as of 11 a.m. on Thursday, marking the second and concluding day of the 2025 Official Buriram MotoGP testing session.

Results by the hour…

Quickest time on the first day:

Marc Marquez, riding for Ducati, clocked a time of 1 minute and 29

Records from the Buriram MotoGP:

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati with a time of 1 minute 28.700 seconds (2024)

Marco Bezzecchi set the quickest lap time in the race with a Ducati, clocking in at 1 minute 30.896 seconds in 2023.

On Thursday morning, the last day of MotoGP pre-season testing for 2025 kicked off at Buriram in Thailand.

Marc Marquez, who recently joined Ducati, led the field with a time 0.465 seconds quicker than his younger sibling Alex on the first day. Meanwhile, Ducati announced that it is considering continuing with the GP24 engine for the factory-spec GP25 models this season.

Alex has achieved the quickest times on the GP24 during the last two testing sessions held in Barcelona and Sepang. Today, he aims to complete a hat-trick of first-place finishes for Gresini in the winter tests.

On Wednesday, Franco Morbidelli from VR46 secured a spot in the all-Ducati top three, followed by Marco Bezzecchi representing Aprilia. KTM's Pedro Acosta, along with Luca Marini and Johann Zarco riding for Honda, also performed prominently.

Jack Miller led the Yamaha team by securing tenth place, as the Japanese manufacturer experienced a more modest beginning at Buriram following their strong performance at Sepang.

This week, Aprilia's current MotoGP titleholder Jorge Martin and VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio are missing due to injuries sustained at Sepang. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez, who had to undergo surgery following an accident on the first day in Malaysia, has returned to compete for Trackhouse.

The testing sessions are scheduled from 10 AM to 6 PM. Following these tests, the next MotoGP event will be the opening practice for the Thai Grand Prix, which is set for February 28.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

For two decades, Peter has been a presence in the paddock, witnessing both the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved with the unfolding events surrounding Suzuki's departure and the ongoing challenges faced by Marc Marquez due to his injuries.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partially reproduce text, images, or illustrations in any manner.

Crash.Net

—

Rephr

Maverick Vinales discusses issues regarding his transition to KTM

The Spanish rider calls for patience following a disappointing first day of testing in Buriram.

Maverick Vinales has expressed confidence that he is not worried about his current standing in the pre-season MotoGP tests with KTM, and he anticipates that his adjustment to the bike will happen suddenly and effortlessly.

At the conclusion of the first day of the Buriram test, the factory KTM riders, Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder, secured positions within the top 10. Meanwhile, the Tech3 team, consisting of Enea Bastianini and Vinales, finished in 16th and 18th places.

On Wednesday, Bastianini informed the press that he is finding it difficult to adjust to the RC16 as he continues to handle it as if it were a Ducati.

Having spent three years riding an Aprilia, Vinales is now facing challenges as he adjusts to the unique characteristics of the KTM. Despite these difficulties, he remains confident that everything will fall into place with time.

He mentioned that it's important to have patience and trust in the development process.

"Eventually, it will happen suddenly, like a snap, so we must continue to focus on enhancing our skills and adjusting to the bike."

"At the moment, we wish we were in a different situation, but it's crucial for us to gain a deeper understanding of the bike."

When questioned about whether this pre-season has been more difficult than anticipated, Vinales responded: "No, I believe each pre-season comes with its own set of challenges."

"We likely had to prioritize different aspects compared to past years. It's all about the journey. We should find joy in it and make an effort to advance a little bit each day."

"I’m quite pleased with most aspects of the bike. I just have to figure out how to optimize its performance. It’s a matter of doing more laps to get there."

When discussing areas for improvement, Vinales mentions that he excels in the middle of the turn and when exiting it. However, he still struggles to master the braking technique needed for the RC16.

"I have a good grasp of the peak and the gas," he stated.

"Therefore, I might be performing quite well. However, the braking technique required here differs significantly from that of other manufacturers I've worked with before."

"It requires patience, as it doesn't happen effortlessly."

"When you install new tires, the situation gets more challenging."

"Adjusting to the system requires patience. From experience, I am quite familiar with this process. It's important to stay composed, and eventually, everything will fall into place."

Statements given by Derry Munikartono, the editor of Crash Indonesia

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the world of MotoGP right in your email inbox.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Earlier

Later

Discover Additional Content

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent MotoGP updates, unique insights, conversations, and special offers straight from the paddock to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Informed with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing text, images, or drawings, whether in full or in part, is prohibited in all forms.

Crash.Net

—

Reworked

Joan Mir was asked about the influence of Romano Albesiano at Honda, to which he responded, "I think we are performing better compared to last year."

Following two challenging seasons in MotoGP during 2023 and 2024, Joan Mir feels that Honda has shown improvement with its RC213V model in 2025.

The Spanish rider, now in his third year with HRC, believes that the RC213V has made significant progress compared to last year. This assessment comes after he concluded the second-to-last day of MotoGP preseason testing in Buriram in 11th position. Meanwhile, his Honda HRC Castrol teammate, Luca Marini, achieved a sixth-place finish.

When asked if the results exceeded expectations, the Honda HRC Castrol rider responded by saying, "Not exactly, but there has been improvement. I believe that we are performing better compared to last year."

"We are nearing the desired speed and achieving better lap times."

"Therefore, I can confirm that we are better equipped this year compared to the previous one. Although it might not be fully sufficient, we've made some progress: the bike is easier to handle, and today we enhanced the braking section. It was somewhat challenging due to technical issues we faced earlier in the day, which forced us to alter our plans. As a result, we will likely test more options tomorrow than initially intended."

"However, it's alright, as such incidents can occur. I believe that tomorrow we will make further progress, and I think we have some leeway."

Joan Mir discusses the influence of Romano Albesiano. Mir elaborated on the issues he faced earlier in the day, noting that they were related to the ride height mechanism.

He mentioned that they encountered some issues with the rear ride height device, which was not functioning properly, but they managed to fix it.

"Our program was postponed due to a technical problem, but I believe it turned out fine in the end."

One major update at Honda for the year 2025 is that Romano Albesiano will be joining from Aprilia to assume the position of technical director at Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).

Mir was inquired about any alterations in the working approach that he might have observed since Albesiano joined at the close of last year.

He mentioned that the atmosphere within the garage feels familiar as he collaborates with his team. However, he acknowledged that there have been noticeable enhancements in the bike, which demonstrates that progress is achievable.

"If you do everything right, our performance on the bike will get better, and the truth is, we've already seen improvements in a short period."

"I'm currently riding a bike that is fairly easy to handle and offers a comfortable ride. While it's true that we still lag significantly in terms of acceleration and top speed, and there's a lot of vibration, today we made progress with the braking. We're gradually moving in the right direction."

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers straight from the MotoGP paddock, delivered directly to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Alex became a part of the Crash.net team in August 2024 after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

Explore Further

Join Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email inbox.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking News

Additional Stories

Stay Updated on Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing text, images, or drawings in whole or in part is prohibited in any manner.

Crash.Net is a website that

Concerns are emerging from KTM's team as their latest talent struggles to understand the peculiarities of the bike. "The biggest issue lies within me, as I am accustomed to the Ducati's style," he explained.

Enea Bastianini expressed concern about how he is adjusting to the KTM following the first day of testing in Buriram.

During the official MotoGP preseason test, Bastianini recorded the 16th fastest time on the leaderboard.

He eventually confessed that transitioning from the factory Ducati to a Tech3 KTM is turning out to be more challenging than he had expected.

On Wednesday, Bastianini expressed that he had been extremely occupied, largely due to a lack of motivation. Despite numerous attempts at finding solutions, ultimately, nothing worked.

Later in the day, we headed the other way.

"We experimented with an approach that deviates from my usual preferences."

Ultimately, it turned out well with this bicycle.

"The primary issue was internal, as I couldn't stop thinking about the Ducati's style."

"This motorcycle isn't exactly similar to a Ducati…"

Enea Bastianini Voices Worry Over KTM

Bastianini confessed that he was surprised by the significant differences between the Ducati and the KTM.

"A little, indeed," he replied. "Since, from an external perspective, the on-track situation appeared quite alike."

"However, internally, it's a whole other story."

"I require additional time beyond what I initially anticipated to feel at ease and increase my speed."

Bastianini identified the main aspect where he is lagging.

"The utilization of the rear brake is quite different," he clarified.

"When you apply the rear brake while going straight, the back end shifts significantly."

"The oscillations originating from the back eventually make their way to the front!"

"Changing this after so many years is challenging. Achieving it would require an extraordinary outcome."

Nevertheless, Bastianini mentioned, "I made progress in the afternoon and I'm pleased with that."

He has one additional day to test his KTM motorcycle ahead of the initial race weekend in Thailand, scheduled from February 28 to March 2.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email inbox.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

James spent ten years as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

Discover More

Join Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates on MotoGP, including exclusive content, interviews, and special offers, delivered straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce text, photos, or illustrations, either in full or in part, in any manner.

Crash.Net is a website focused

Marc Marquez discusses weaknesses in the 2025 Ducati MotoGP engine

Top performer on the first day of testing in Buriram sheds light on Ducati engine issues

Marc Marquez explains that Ducati is considering using the GP24 MotoGP engine for the 2025 season due to significant weaknesses found in the GP25 model.

On Wednesday during the Buriram test, Davide Tardozzi, the head of the Ducati team, stated that the brand is expected to approve the 2024 engine for the upcoming season. This decision comes as the GP25 model posed several potential issues.

Starting from the first race of the 2025 season in Thailand, manufacturers that do not have concessions will have their engine development halted for the following two years.

Marquez believes that Ducati, having secured 16 victories out of 20 races last season with the GP24, should not "take the risk" of approving a GP25 model that the riders lack confidence in due to its clear shortcomings.

After leading the first day of the Buriram test, Marquez remarked, "On one hand, we have the engine, and on the other, there's a collection of new small components we need to consider."

"Today, we focused primarily on the 2024 engine throughout the day, as it seems that unless things drastically shift by tomorrow, this will likely be the direction for the season."

Ducati is being quite practical and clever in their approach. They understand that they cannot afford to approve an engine unless they are absolutely certain—without any doubt—that it outperforms the 2024 model. This is crucial because once they approve an engine, it remains in use for a two-year period.

From the beginning until now, we've realized that the 2025 model has its highs and lows: it's very impressive in certain areas but lacking in others.

"They are familiar with utilizing the 2024 model on various racetracks."

"They secured victories in 16 races last year, indicating that the bike had a strong foundation."

"It seems that we are heading to that base now, but we will confirm this again tomorrow."

"I feel really positive about the 2024 model. By 2024, I'm referring to the bike's core design for that year. It includes the 2024 engine, and they have put significant effort into refining small components that we are currently adding to this engine."

Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia's Opinion on the 2025 Engine

Francesco Bagnaia, a team-mate, has expressed that while the 2025 engine might not be lacking in competitiveness, Ducati has encountered challenges in achieving a "balance on braking," which has impacted their confidence in racing with it effectively.

Bagnaia, who finished eighth on Wednesday in Thailand, stated, "Frankly, it's a tough decision. Right now, both the team and I are inclined to choose the 2024 engine."

"Although the 2025 model is competitive, we're facing challenges in achieving a balance with the braking system. Starting the season with an engine that doesn't have a resolution for this issue would leave us in a difficult position."

In addition to that, we are fortunate that Marc [Marquez] didn't encounter any problems today, as everything on my side of the garage went wrong right from the beginning of the day.

"We faced numerous issues, but fortunately, my team did an excellent job, which provided me with a small chance to ride. However, from the beginning of the day, nothing seemed to go right."

In 2022, the Ducati factory team decided to use a previous engine model for their latest bike due to difficulties they faced during pre-season testing with the complete GP22 engine.

Statements given by Crash Indonesian Editor, Derry Munikartono

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and exclusive offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Earlier

Following

Find Out More

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep up with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce any text, images, or drawings, whether in full or in part, in any manner.

Crash.Net is a website dedicated

Pecco Bagnaia has decided not to use the 2025 chassis and acknowledges the need to study Marc Marquez's performance data. "Luckily, within the team…"

Francesco Bagnaia acknowledged that he needs to analyze Marc Marquez's data following a challenging test session in Buriram.

Issues with the engine, chassis, and fairing caused Bagnaia to have a more challenging day compared to his factory Ducati teammate, Marquez.

Bagnaia admitted on Wednesday that it had been a challenging day.

"We needed to put in considerable effort to address a number of issues across different areas."

Luckily, there has been some advancement on the opposite side of the garage, which we will examine. This gives me a sense of assurance.

"As always, my team performed excellently. We're pausing for now, but we'll continue our efforts tomorrow."

Bagnaia is experiencing issues with the Ducati chassis. He announced that his current focus is on the 2024 MotoGP chassis from Ducati, instead of the newer 2025 model.

The Italian company revealed a fresh chassis design for the 2025 model during the Barcelona test held last year. Bagnaia had a favorable first reaction to it in Spain. However, challenges arose during last week's testing in Malaysia, leading the Italian to set aside the new chassis, at least temporarily, during the Buriram MotoGP test this week.

He mentioned that their primary attention would shift more towards the 2025 chassis moving forward.

“Currently, our attention is directed toward different aspects of the bike, which is typical, given the limited time and the need to prioritize more crucial decisions.”

Following the Barcelona test last year, Bagnaia expressed satisfaction with the new chassis. However, he noted that his perspective shifted somewhat during the tests in Malaysia.

Upon reaching Malaysia, the new frame was functioning effectively at first. However, we encountered some problems with it, so we opted to remove it and plan to test it again at a later date.

Further Details: Marc Marquez Highlights Significant Weaknesses in 2025 Ducati MotoGP Engine

Pecco Bagnaia discusses the 2025 fairing. Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia share their opinions on the 2025 Ducati engine during the Buriram test. #MotoGP

Bagnaia, alongside his Ducati Lenovo teammate Marc Marquez, appears to be moving towards using the 2024 Desmosedici engine and is likely to continue with the 2024 chassis. However, he is sticking with the 2025 fairing, despite having some reservations about it.

Bagnaia noted that the track in Buriram is ideal for testing due to its minimal grip, and that persistence carried on at this location.

Bagnaia mentioned that he believes the grip level at the Buriram International Circuit is quite low.

"We also have a tire casing that is not the standard type, but it doesn't provide much additional grip."

On the initial day of testing in Buriram, Bagnaia was the sole rider to use the 2025 fairing. However, the Italian encountered unspecified issues that hindered his capacity to provide meaningful feedback to the Ducati engineers, particularly regarding the new fairing. As a result, further assessments are scheduled to proceed on Thursday.

Bagnaia mentioned that right now, the fairing is very important since it can only be altered once throughout the season. He added that the 2024 version was performing effectively.

"However, today I completed a few circuits on the 2025 model. Although it wasn't entirely clear due to some other problems I was facing at the time, we still succeeded in identifying some positive aspects."

"I wasn't really that slow; in fact, without attempting a time trial using this fairing, I was only 0.8 seconds off my time compared to when I did a time trial. So, it's not a huge gap, but we need to pay more attention to it tomorrow."

"We need to basically begin anew tomorrow to gather additional insights."

He mentioned, "Conducting an extended session on Thursday will be crucial, but first, we need to provide more input to the team. Today, however, it was challenging to offer much feedback due to it being a tough day."

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

In August 2024, Alex became part of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock directly in your email inbox.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Current Updates

Additional Headlines

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy the text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Crash.Net is a news source

A MotoGP competitor confesses, "I can't feel at ease on the bike since the crash." Last week, a Trackhouse racer underwent surgery for a hand injury.

Raul Fernandez expressed feeling "devastated" after his initial experience on the Trackhouse Aprilia during the Buriram MotoGP test. This comes shortly after undergoing surgery for a hand fracture last week.

Last week, during the first day of testing in Sepang, the rider who finished second in the 2021 Moto2 championship experienced a high-speed accident, resulting in a fracture to his left hand.

He was sidelined for the remainder of the test and traveled home to undergo surgery. The procedure went well, allowing him to get back to competing in Thailand this week.

On Wednesday, he finished 33 laps during the Buriram test and ended up in 19th place on the timesheet.

Raul Fernandez makes a comeback after being sidelined by an injury. He described the experience as a "generally good day," although he acknowledged that he "can't feel at ease while riding" because of his physical condition.

He mentioned that his health isn't in the best shape.

"Following the accident, I find it difficult to feel at ease while riding my bike."

"In this situation, I'm fortunate since we don't encounter many left turns, and it's particularly challenging for me to accelerate on left turns due to issues with my finger and foot."

"I find it nearly impossible to maintain my usual posture while riding the bike."

"From my perspective, the initial day was quite encouraging, as the level of pain was manageable, which was the most important aspect."

"We are currently concentrating on maintaining a steady pace and managing the performance of worn tires, rather than aiming for fast lap times."

"I understand that nearly everyone is on the brink of demonstrating their potential in terms of lap time."

"I'm not like that. My attention is more on my own progress, and I'm genuinely pleased with the efforts we put in today. All in all, it was a productive day."

"In left-hand turns, I struggle to stay relaxed, which is problematic because I can't position my feet the way I need to, forcing me to remain tense while navigating the curve."

"I feel completely devastated, but overall, it was a good day for everyone else."

Even though he is in pain, Fernandez anticipates being fully recovered in time for the Thai GP scheduled at the month's end.

During the race, the goal is to be at full capacity since I underwent surgery to participate, but also to be in top shape for the race week, he mentioned.

"If the surgery doesn't go as planned, I might not be able to participate in the race. However, I am hopeful and confident that I will be 95% to 100% prepared for the event."

"I will remain focused and continue to give my best effort, regardless of the circumstances."

"Overall, I feel content. Today, my aim is to concentrate on the present moment, and I remain hopeful about tomorrow as we have an alternative approach to explore. I'm eager to find out what unfolds."

During the Wednesday testing session in Buriram, Fernandez spent additional time with the 2025 RS-GP. He observed that there are significant improvements compared to last year's model. However, he acknowledged that he requires some time to adapt, as it is a challenging motorcycle to handle.

"There are many positive aspects I notice while cycling," he mentioned.

"I notice that we have made significant progress in two or three areas that were quite challenging for us since we joined Aprilia."

"The bicycle is notably straightforward to ride, and I can sense a change when I'm on it."

"I also believe that this bike has greater potential when it comes to speed and achieving better lap times."

"I believe this bike has the potential to go faster. However, we need additional time to make improvements. It's a challenging bike to work with."

"I require additional time to comprehend and my mechanics need more time to determine the right set-up for speed. The issue is how much time I'll need on the bike to regain my speed."

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Earlier

Later

Discover Additional Information

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing any part or the entirety of the text, images, or drawings in any manner is prohibited.

Crash.Net is a website that

Enea Bastianini acknowledged a significant loss, stating, "I'm aware of where I fell behind. After reviewing the footage and examining the data, it became clear to me."

During his initial outing with Tech3 KTM in Barcelona last November, Enea Bastianini secured the 16th fastest time. However, over the course of three days at the Sepang MotoGP test, he fell two spots to finish in 18th place

Nonetheless, the ex-Ducati team racer had a definite understanding of where he primarily lost time.

Improvements in braking propelled Bastianini to the sixth quickest time, trailing by just +0.119 seconds, in the lap's initial sector, characterized by the intense braking required for Turn 1. However, difficulties with entering corners placed him significantly lower, at 19th with a time difference of +0.482 seconds in the second sector, and 17th, falling behind by +0.623 seconds, in the third sector.

Bastianini secured the 10th fastest time, lagging by 0.319 seconds, in Sector 4, marked by another intense braking point leading into the concluding hairpin turn.

"At the conclusion of the Malaysian test, Bastianini acknowledged, "As for improvement… there's hardly any," revealing that from the beginning up to now, he had only managed to shave off 1.5 seconds."

"However, I'm aware of the specific field that requires our attention."

"It's necessary for us to explore alternative strategies, but currently, that's not feasible as we're experimenting with various components."

"In Thailand, it's likely that continuing to use the same motorcycle will simplify efforts and boost confidence."

When asked about his biggest challenges, the winner of seven MotoGP races shared his insights:

"Absolutely, I've pinpointed where I'm falling behind. After reviewing the footage and analyzing the data, my sense is that it boils down to my approach into corners. Currently, my speed going into these turns is significantly reduced, making it challenging for me to navigate them."

"In terms of braking performance, we've made significant advancements and are now nearly on par with, and at times even surpassing, the other KTMs, especially in the first and last sectors."

"However, in areas 2 and 3, particularly in 3, our losses were significant!"

Bastianini clocked a lap at Sepang that was 1.5 seconds slower than the pace set by the fastest rider, Alex Marquez. He was also 0.876 seconds behind the quickest KTM rider, Pedro Acosta, who finished 6th, but trailed closely by just 0.146 seconds to his new teammate at Tech3, Maverick Vinales, who came in 16th.

This week's testing session in Buriram occurs at the same location where Bastianini clinched victory in the Thai Grand Prix Sprint race last October, heading a Ducati-dominated finish that saw the top eight positions.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, unique content, conversations, and special offers right from the racing circuit delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Former

Following

Having spent two decades in the racing field, Peter has witnessed the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the health concerns plaguing Marc Marquez.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, unique content, conversations, and special offers straight from the circuit to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing any part or the entirety of the text, photos, or illustrations in any manner is strictly prohibited.

CollisionDotCom

Luca Marini acknowledges a significant decision by Honda, though uncertainties linger

Luca Marini considers Honda's advancements in Buriram

Luca Marini mentioned that Honda is fully aware of the specific setup they plan to introduce at the Thailand MotoGP.

The company has decided on the materials they will employ for the season's first event following their discussions in Buriram.

On the first day of the official MotoGP test, held at the same track where the inaugural race will take place, Marini delivered an outstanding performance by securing the sixth-fastest time.

Marini responded by saying, "I was quick at the start in Sepang as well. However, everyone ended up achieving an impressive lap time."

"Today was significant as we concentrated on the environment."

"We explored all options and implemented every update. At Sepang, our attention was dedicated to finalizing the setup for the opening race."

In this initial race, our primary goal is to unlock the full capabilities of this motorcycle.

"We made efforts to enhance the bike, and it ended up being a productive day for this purpose."

Marini stated that the Honda package will not undergo any further modifications until after the beginning of the 2025 season.

"Indeed, for the initial four races, the bike will remain as it is. We've made all our selections," he stated.

"Following the initial four races, we'll evaluate our capabilities and aspirations."

Luca Marini suggests that competitors riding Honda bikes might show better performance. On Wednesday in Buriram, Marini wasn't the sole standout among those on Honda machines.

Johann Zarco secured the seventh position, while Joan Mir finished in 11th place.

It offers a glimmer of hope for the company producing the least successful bicycle in 2024.

Marini quipped, "I feel much more satisfied when they're not as fast as I am!"

"We need to hold off and see how the initial race unfolds. A lot of competitors still have surprises up their sleeves."

"We can maintain an optimistic outlook and make the most of what we have."

Marini suggested what Honda might experiment with on Thursday, saying, "Given the quality of the tyres we have, it's not crucial to complete the entire race distance. The tyres maintain their performance consistently throughout a race without any issues."

"Completing 20 laps rather than 27 is acceptable; it makes no significant difference."

"The key focus should be on maintaining speed during the initial 10 laps. After that, you can strategically position yourself and maintain that spot by carefully handling the tires."

Marini was reserved in discussing Honda's expectations for the March 2nd season opener.

"The performance has enhanced since the previous race at this location, and the bike's condition has improved," he stated.

"We acknowledge that the other team has superior skills."

"We are making significant efforts to enhance our situation. From our perspective, all aspects have improved."

"However, it's essential for us to grasp the speed of our competitors during a race weekend."

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Stories

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Stay Updated with Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to reproduce any part or the entire content of text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Crash.Net is a website dedicated

"Time to push the limit!": Alex Marquez outpaces Marc in Sepang trial 'Sprint'

"I noticed Marc's speed; it was incredibly quick. That's when I thought, 'Alright, time to push the limit'."

In his first appearance on the GP24 in November's Barcelona test, Alex Marquez set the fastest time, a performance he replicated by topping the leaderboard after the three-day MotoGP test in Sepang.

However, Marquez wasn't just fast during a single lap.

In a display that may lead Ducati to reassess the utility of the newest GP25 components – potentially even considering a return to the GP24 power unit – Alex surpassed the 10-lap Sprint simulation times set by factory riders Francesco Bagnaia and his sibling, Marc Marquez.

"Absolutely fantastic third day," Alex said with a smile. "The initial two days were impressive, but today topped them. On the whole, we performed exceptionally well.

"Completing a single lap is crucial as it demonstrates that the motorcycle is performing well under pressure, especially when you're pushing it to its limits."

"Particularly, the pace we've established. The Sprint mock-up went extremely well."

In the previous year's Malaysian Grand Prix Sprint, Alex completed the race 5.6 seconds after Marc, both competing as teammates on GP23s.

This round, he finished 0.2 seconds ahead of Marc after completing 10 laps on the GP24.

When inquired about whether he preferred the Sprint simulation over topping the one-lap time charts, Alex responded:

"Absolutely! I was in the pit and caught a glimpse of Pecco's [run through]. Then, when I saw Marc's attempt, I thought, 'he's really giving it his all!' He was incredibly quick. So I thought, 'Alright, it's time for me to step up.'"

"I gave it my all. We were neck and neck but ultimately, after 10 laps, I managed to be 0.2 seconds quicker than him!"

Marc humorously 'welcomed' his brother back to the pit lane with an upturned middle finger, continuing their running jest from Barcelona regarding which sibling would end up in the lead.

"Creating a simulation and maintaining speed and consistency is beneficial," remarked Alex.

"Everything appears great, although it's Sepang. This track is a favorite of mine, and I've consistently performed well here."

He humorously remarked, "Hosting all 22 races of the world championship right here would be ideal for me!"

"However, we also led the way in Montmelo, demonstrating our strength. I have a fondness for the Thailand circuit as well, so it will be interesting to see our performance there and how quickly the team from the factory can get everything in place."

"Once all the manufacturing sites have assembled everything from the 100 pieces they are attempting to use, we'll understand our position."

"Stay relaxed, and visit Thailand to experience our way of life there."

However, the 28-year-old confessed that his confidence levels on the GP24 are significantly higher than they were last year while dealing with the challenges of the GP23.

"In the '23, the confidence level was consistently at a 7 out of 10. Now, with the GP24, it's risen to a 9, which is significant," he mentioned.

"Last year was challenging for us with the 23 model bike, but adversity often brings valuable lessons. The knowledge we gained through those challenges will serve as an essential asset in ensuring the success of 2025."

Marquez acknowledged that, in his opinion, the GP24 surpasses all other MotoGP motorcycles he has ridden.

"The GP22 was incredibly impressive as well. It appears that the GP24 is closely related to the GP22, akin to being its sibling – whether you refer to it as a sister or a brother – and it offers an exceptionally pleasant riding experience."

Alex achieved two top-three finishes, secured a pole position, and won a Sprint race on the GP22.

Franco Morbidelli supported Marquez's impressive results on the GP24 by securing the fourth position in the Sepang rankings, though the Italian's Sprint trial fell significantly short of #73's achievement.

Fermin Aldeguer, a newcomer to Marquez's team, secured the 11th spot with an average Sprint time of 1 minute and 58.580 seconds, compared to Alex's faster pace of 1 minute and 57.901 seconds.

In the Sprint simulation, Marc Marquez recorded an average speed of 1 minute and 57.930 seconds, while Bagnaia followed closely with a time of 58.243 seconds, both competing on the factory-spec GP25s.

The trial in Buriram is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, behind-the-scenes content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the race track to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Former

Following

Peter has spent two decades in the racing field, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career highs and lows. He's playing a leading role in covering Suzuki's departure from the scene and Marc Marquez's battles with injuries.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, one-on-one chats, and special offers from the racing circuit straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash F1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing text, photos, or illustrations, whether in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Accident.Report

Raul Fernandez described the incident as "one of the most significant accidents I've ever experienced. All I can say is that I was fortunate."

Raul Fernandez is set to participate in the upcoming Buriram MotoGP trial tomorrow, merely seven days following injuries to his left hand and foot he incurred on the first day of the Sepang trial.

The racer representing Trackhouse Aprilia quickly went back to Barcelona to undergo an operation for his fractured metacarpal bone, then flew to Asia shortly after to participate in the last pre-season trial.

Fernandez expressed his gratitude in Buriram on Tuesday, stating, "I feel fortunate to be present." He explained, "Following the accident, I returned to Spain straight away. I’m truly thankful for the efforts of Dr. Xavier Mir; upon my arrival in Barcelona, he had already prepared everything necessary for the operation. That’s why I’m able to stand here today. He provided me with significant assistance."

"The accident occurred merely a week prior, necessitating swift action on my part. My journey included a trip to Europe for surgical treatment before returning. Despite the challenges, we've managed to make it through."

Defending champion and recent addition to Aprilia, Jorge Martin, sustained an injury on the first day at Sepang, sidelining him until the season's first race weekend. Consequently, Fernandez and Aprilia are now faced with the challenge of compensating for the missed time on the track with the RS-GP25.

"Fernandez emphasized, "This test is crucial for myself, for our team, and for Aprilia as well. We all need it."

"I require additional details since my initial experience with the motorcycle was quite positive. I was pleased with the progress Aprilia achieved over the winter. However, since it was only 25-30 laps, we lack sufficient data to establish a foundational setup."

"Therefore, my presence here is with a purpose. My attention won't be on the lap times or anything beyond dedicating myself to understanding the motorcycle, enhancing its performance, and setting up something impressive for the race."

Fernandez preferred not to linger on his unusual Turn 9 mishap, where the Spanish rider lost grip just after applying the brakes.

He remarked, "I'm not in a position to share much. I prefer not to dwell on the accident," adding, "It was among the most severe accidents I've ever experienced. All I can really say is that I was fortunate."

"I was cycling, and then suddenly, I found myself lying on the pavement. That's all I recall."

The extent to which his injuries will permit him to participate in the test is still uncertain, as Fernandez has shared that his foot, which did not need surgical intervention, is causing him more discomfort than his hand.

"He mentioned that his hand is fairly okay, but the real issue is with his foot. He also noted that he's experiencing significant pain in his leg muscles and his back."

"I was completely vertical when I suddenly crashed. Since I wasn't leaning at an angle, the collision was quite severe."

At Sepang, Marco Bezzecchi, the recent recruit for the factory team, emerged as the top Aprilia competitor, securing ninth place, in the absence of Martin and Fernandez.

The testing session in Buriram is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Statements given by Crash.net reporter Derry Munikartono in Buriram.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the racetrack right to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Peter has spent two decades in the racing world, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's also leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive conversations, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Stay Updated with Crash Formula 1

Keep Up with Crash MotoGP

Reproducing any portion or the entirety of the text, images, or illustrations in any manner is strictly prohibited.

Accident.Report

Ducati Indicates Favored Engine Option – Yet "No Decision Made"

Ducati Faces Dilemma Between 2024 or 2025 Specifications

Davide Tardozzi, the head of the Ducati team, mentioned that the brand is inclined to approve the GP24 engine for its 2025 MotoGP motorcycle, although a conclusive decision has not been made yet.

The GP24 emerged as one of the most powerful motorcycles in the history of MotoGP, securing victories in 16 out of the 20 grand prix races held last year.

With the introduction of a two-year engine freeze beginning in early 2025, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia dedicated significant time at the Sepang test to evaluating the engines for the GP24 and GP25 models.

Given the impressive performance of the GP24 engine, both riders emphasized the need to ensure the GP25 represented a substantial advancement before committing to its approval for the next two years.

During the first day of this week's testing session in Buriram, Thailand, the factory Ducati riders seemed to be leaning towards using the GP24 engine. Tardozzi has indicated that this engine is now the probable choice moving forward.

"The choice hasn't been made yet, but it seems we're leaning towards 2024," Tardozzi mentioned to MotoGP's After the Flag.

"Ultimately, this evening, Gigi and the team of engineers are set to make the final call. I sense that we will opt for the GP24, though no decision has been reached yet."

Is Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia getting a Ducati engine?

Ducati has previously chosen to use an older engine model in its latest motorcycle. For example, the factory team switched at the last moment to a hybrid engine combining elements from 2021 and 2022 for their GP22 bike.

This decision turned out to be wise, since Bagnaia ended up winning the championship, whereas the Pramac team, using the complete 2022-spec engine, only managed to achieve eight podium finishes combined.

Tardozzi stated that the choice to probably opt for the GP24 is influenced by the upcoming two-year freeze on engine development.

"Indeed, as previously mentioned, the decision to freeze the engine for two years is being made because we aim to avoid any risks during that period," he stated.

"The 2024 engine has previously provided us with positive responses and proven to be reliable. Therefore, I believe this will be the choice we go with."

On Wednesday in Thailand, Marquez surprised observers by choosing not to use Ducati's 2025 aerodynamic package.

Tardozzi clarified that the differences arose because each rider was following their own schedule. He also minimized the significance of their difficulties during the practice start session.

"They have various tasks and schedules to manage today," he clarified.

"Marc is exploring other options. He is also experimenting with various positions while riding the bike since he appears to be uneasy."

"He has experimented with various ergonomic setups, handlebars, and other adjustments to improve his seating position on the bike."

"I believe one issue was that they began the race using hard tires, although I noticed that other manufacturers faced similar challenges."

"It appears that the bike's clutch was not adjusted correctly. However, I believe that, as always, Marc and Pecco will have a strong start in the next race."

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the paddock delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Stories

Track Crash F1

Track Crash MotoGP

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Crash.Net is a platform dedicated