Pecco Bagnaia confesses: “I was dishonest and couldn't reveal the truth” regarding the Ducati engine choice. Pecco Bagnaia discusses Ducati's significant engine decision.

Francesco Bagnaia expressed that he was "certain from the beginning" that Ducati's engine for 2024 outperformed the 2025 model during the MotoGP winter testing sessions.

The primary focus of the 2025 pre-season testing has been Ducati's selection of engine, a topic that gained additional significance due to the impending two-year development freeze starting with the Thai Grand Prix.

On Thursday, during the testing session in Buriram, Ducati announced that it would approve the engine it plans to use in 2024 for its factory riders in 2025. This decision came because the latest version of the engine did not show a significant improvement.

Francesco Bagnaia, who ranked fifth in the Buriram testing session dominated by his teammate Marc Marquez, mentioned on Wednesday that while the 2025 engine showed competitive performance, it did not perform as well as the 2024 model when it came to braking.

At the conclusion of the Buriram test, Bagnaia confessed to deceiving the press and revealed that he had been confident from the beginning of the pre-season that the 2024 engine was superior.

He expressed that surpassing the '24 model was challenging, and he believes others might be willing to pay to experience something similar.

"However, from where I stood, I was absolutely certain. I must admit that I've been somewhat deceitful lately, but I was unable to reveal the truth."

"However, I had a strong belief from the beginning that the ’24 version was superior."

"After putting in some effort and attempting to make improvements, Marc and I both agreed on the first day in Malaysia that the GP24 was still slightly superior."

"Our efforts to enhance the braking system didn't go as planned. However, during our work on the '24 model, we realized there is still room for improvement, which is promising news."

Pecco Bagnaia discusses Ducati's testing in Buriram

Ducati appears poised to kick off the year with its 2024 aerodynamics and chassis in place. However, Bagnaia mentions that the bike he will be using is a "’24.9," indicating that it is extremely similar to the latest model.

On Wednesday, Bagnaia faced challenges in Thailand, prompting him to go back to the basics on the last day of testing to enhance his motorcycle.

After a period of hard work, Bagnaia concludes the test feeling satisfied with the improvements his team achieved.

"This morning, to be truthful, I began experiencing the same feelings I had the previous day," he mentioned.

"However, from that point onward, we began making progress with each practice, and I'm quite pleased with the results."

"Today was challenging, but we successfully finished our work despite losing everything the day before."

"We had to start over, but I was making progress. This makes me happy. I'm particularly pleased with my performance on worn tires, as I remained very competitive towards the end of the day using them."

"The only aspect that didn't go as planned today was the time trial I attempted towards the end of the session, due to factors beyond our control.

"I believe the race weekend itself won't pose any issues for us. Beyond that, there's nothing else to add. I'm simply content."

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Ducati reveals important engine choice affecting Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez

Ducati faced a dilemma regarding engine selection for 2024 or 2025

Davide Tardozzi, the head of the Ducati team, has announced that the factory riders of the Italian brand will compete using the 2024 engine for the upcoming two MotoGP seasons.

Throughout the pre-season, Ducati has consistently appeared formidable. However, uncertainty has surrounded their choice regarding which engine they will use for the 2025 races.

The GP24, which has already proven to be a highly successful model with victories in 16 out of 20 races last year, sets a solid foundation. With a two-year engine freeze starting this season, the GP25 engine needs to show significant improvement.

During the Buriram test on Wednesday, both Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia acknowledged that the 2025 engine shows strong competitiveness. However, Marquez conceded that there are some "notable weaknesses" with it.

Facing significant uncertainty, Ducati has decided not to approve an engine for a two-year period. Instead, the company has chosen Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Fabio Di Giannantonio from the VR46 team to compete using the 2024 engine.

"The decision has been made, and the engine used for the 2025 and 2026 seasons will be the one from 2024," stated Tardozzi.

"Like I mentioned the day before, Gigi Dall’Igna is not willing to take any chances."

"Our team back home will need to work hard to prepare engines for our three factory riders ahead of the first race. However, Gigi has made the call, and I believe we'll have those engines ready."

Will Ducati Revert to Previous Chassis and Aero Design?

Ducati might consider beginning the 2025 season using their chassis and aerodynamics setup from 2024. The brand plans to re-evaluate these components during the testing session following the Spanish Grand Prix.

Tardozzi mentioned that using the 2024 chassis and aerodynamics in races is indeed a potential option.

"I believe the ultimate choice regarding the fairing and chassis will be made this evening. As for the engine, which is already set, we plan to delay testing the other new components we have until the Jerez trials, as we'd like to evaluate them further."

"Certain components related to electronics and suspension are already part of the bike, and these are the elements intended for the 2025 model."

With all six of Ducati's motorcycles now competing with engines for the 2024 season, the manufacturer will need to put in significant effort in the next few weeks to produce all of these engines. However, Tardozzi remains unconcerned about this challenge.

He mentioned that constructing those engines would require a significant amount of work from the team.

"However, should we choose to pursue this, it can be achieved. In my opinion, making enhancements to the 2024 bike presents a significant challenge."

"We made a strong effort, but ultimately, we couldn't locate what we anticipated. As a result, we've opted for the safest choice for the riders."

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Fabio Quartararo discusses unusual experience during MotoGP testing in Buriram

"For the first time in my career, I found myself not favoring any of the front tires…"

Following an impressive performance at the Sepang test last week, Fabio Quartararo kicked off this week's Buriram MotoGP test with a day he characterized as "unusual".

The distinctiveness of the day stemmed from the sensation Quartararo experienced at the front end of his Yamaha, which he attributed to the tyres.

"Today felt quite unusual for us," commented the rider from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP after the first day of testing in Buriram, "mainly because it's one of the rare occasions in my career when I found no front tyres to my liking.

"Today, I faced significant challenges in both riding and maintaining speed."

"Thus, we'll find out tomorrow whether the track conditions get better and allow me to ride as I desire; since today, despite our numerous attempts, my riding was not up to par."

"Hopefully, by tomorrow we'll be able to discover a tire, or a tire configuration, that suits our needs."

The rider from France mentioned that he and Yamaha were still unsure about the reason behind his diminishing confidence with the front end. However, he emphasized his conviction that the issue stemmed from the tyres rather than the YZR-M1 motorcycle.

"Whenever there are two tyres involved, you often find yourself favoring one over the other," he stated.

"However, disliking both is a new experience for me. I'm unsure of the reason, but I'm hopeful that my feelings will shift by tomorrow."

Quartararo Finishes 13th in Buriram Trial

Quartararo described that his lack of comfort with the front end contributed to an improved sense of stability during braking.

"The bicycle feels somewhat steadier, primarily due to my inability to apply a lot of force to the front brake," he explained.

Naturally, the motorcycle is steadier now. Last season, I was able to really push its boundaries, so I anticipate that tomorrow, as I attempt to extend those limits again, we might see the bike become unstable once more, especially if we encounter similar issues with the tyres during the race.

"Thus, come tomorrow morning, we aim to really test the bike's limits."

Quartararo could verify that Yamaha has improved its performance in straight-line speed after trailing Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez.

"I was trailing Alex Marquez for a lap, but it's challenging to make a direct comparison when he's on a tyre that's been used for 18 laps and mine has only seen five laps, so it's tough to gauge accurately. However, I believe we've made significant advancements on the straightaways," he mentioned.

In conclusion, the 2021 World Champion mentioned that Yamaha's aerodynamic and engine setup is now "essentially established," and that he dedicated most of his day to experimenting with new electronic approaches.

On the last day of the 2025 MotoGP preseason trials happening Thursday, Quartararo concentrated on refining his starting techniques, believing that there was potential for enhancement following the practice launch session that took place in the interval between Wednesday's morning and afternoon sessions.

"Tomorrow, we aim to experiment with some new strategies for the electronics at the start, with the hope of achieving some improvements," he stated.

"Today, I believe we tried various approaches that might have been effective, but unfortunately, they didn't yield the desired results for us."

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2025 Official Buriram MotoGP Test: Marc Marquez Concludes Pre-Season in the Lead

Ducati's Factory Rider Grabs Attention on the Last Day of Trials

Marc Marquez achieved the fastest time with his factory Ducati on the last day of MotoGP pre-season testing in Thailand, maintaining his lead over Alex Marquez.

The standout news from the last day of winter testing was Ducati's choice to use the 2024 engine model for the upcoming two racing seasons.

Marc Marquez still managed to capture attention when he completed a full race simulation on Thursday, clocking a time that was seven-tenths of a second faster than Alex Marquez's time on the complete GP24.

The world champion, who has won the title eight times, set the fastest lap with a time of 1 minute and 28.855 seconds. He claimed the top position during the second hour of the session and maintained his lead for the remainder of the day without any competition.

Alex Marquez followed closely behind his sibling on the Gresini-managed GP24, finishing 0.179 seconds behind the fastest time. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi delivered an impressive performance on the factory Aprilia, securing third place and setting the fastest lap ever recorded by the Italian manufacturer at Buriram.

Pedro Acosta was at the forefront during the first hour on the official KTM and concluded the day in fourth place overall on the factory RC16.

On the last day, Francesco Bagnaia seemed less at ease compared to his factory Ducati teammate Marc Marquez, finishing in fifth place with a gap of 0.523 seconds from the fastest time.

Joan Mir showed impressive performance on the factory Honda, securing sixth place with a time of 1 minute and 29.399 seconds, while Franco Morbidelli from VR46 Ducati finished in seventh.

Fabio Quartararo secured the eighth position on the overall leaderboard for the factory Yamaha team, while Maverick Vinales managed to climb to ninth place with a late surge on the Tech3 KTM.

Jack Miller secured the tenth position riding the Pramac Yamaha, trailing the leader by 0.762 seconds.

Ai Ogura spearheaded the newcomers' efforts by securing the 11th position for the Trackhouse Aprilia team with a time of 1 minute and 29.636 seconds. Meanwhile, Brad Binder placed 12th representing the main factory team KTM.

Despite his recent injuries, Raul Fernandez persevered, managing to secure the 13th position for Trackhouse Aprilia after completing 31 laps on Thursday.

Italian rider Enea Bastianini appeared to face ongoing challenges with the KTM during the final day of testing, finishing in 15th place.

Fermin Aldeguer secured the 18th position riding for Gresini Ducati, whereas his fellow newcomer, Somkiat Chantra, finished in 20th place on the LCR Honda.

The 2025 MotoGP season is set to commence in Buriram, with events scheduled from February 28 to March

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Jack Miller identifies Yamaha's superior aspect over KTM

"It leaves you craving additional advantages…"

Jack Miller secured a spot within the first 10 positions during the initial day of MotoGP preseason testing in Buriram.

The ex-rider for Honda, Ducati, and KTM is adapting smoothly to his new Yamaha, a brand that's turning heads as it gears up for the 2025 racing season.

Miller highlighted a section where his latest device offers improvements over the capabilities of last year's KTM model.

"Miller expressed his satisfaction in Buriram, noting, "It's a pleasure to ride the bike, and having confidence in the front end is a huge advantage."

"It keeps you craving for more. Each time you fit a new tire, you find yourself thinking, 'I could have taken those corners faster'."

"It instills a significant amount of trust in the front end, something that has been lacking in the recent years.

"That has taken me by a delightful surprise."

"Regarding the back? Our focus was on refining the acceleration and braking around corners. I was pleased with the adjustments we implemented."

Jack Miller Achieves 10th Place in Buriram Speeds

Miller, teaming up with Miguel Oliveira at Pramac, which recently transitioned from Ducati to Yamaha, characterized his new motorcycle as a "rocket ship" right off the starting line.

He mentioned regarding the tests in Buriram: "We immediately found our pace with the initial setup we brought from Sepang."

"I felt satisfied with the experience. The course was in decent condition, albeit a bit dusty. Fortunately, due to the high number of bikes present, it became clean swiftly."

The bicycle performs efficiently. However, maintaining grip at the back remains a problem. Yet, in this location, where grip levels are generally low, it's not as perceptible. At Sepang, the issue was more evident.

"Today, I consistently clocked laps in the .30s range, though I really wished I could have hit a .29s."

"I'm pleased with the speed. Riding the bike in warm weather is enjoyable."

The group made a few tweaks, yet overall, the configuration remained as it was when we concluded in Sepang.

"I was satisfied with its performance under somewhat questionable circumstances."

"Each time you set out on a fresh bike, it's crucial to be receptive and learn. Grasp the feedback the bike provides you."

Yamaha has faced challenging times over the last few years.

However, Miller believes there's no obstacle preventing the manufacturer from capitalizing on their encouraging preseason performance.

"Miller was adamant, stating, 'I ignore everyone's opinions.'"

"Yamaha once performed well on many circuits, but that's no longer the case. Conversely, Ducati, which previously struggled, now excels on every track."

"The era is evolving. Our attention is on our capabilities."

"Yamaha has historically performed well at this location."

Statements made by Derry Munikartono in Buriram

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Ai Ogura overcomes the challenge of time trials in the last MotoGP preseason test. He notes that maintaining a consistent pace during laps is significantly easier than performing in time trials.

Ai Ogura has expressed that reaching high speeds during a single fast lap in MotoGP is more challenging than maintaining a competitive pace throughout a race. However, he noted that he made progress on the last day of testing.

This week's MotoGP test in Buriram is the last opportunity for Ogura to prepare before making his MotoGP race debut at the same location on March 2. It serves as his final chance to get comfortable with the Aprilia RS-GP before facing the intensity of a race weekend.

On the last morning of the test in Thailand, Ogura recorded a time that was nearly fast enough to place him in the top 10 of last year's Q2 session, a result that made the Trackhouse Racing competitor happy.

Ogura expressed satisfaction with their performance earlier today, noting that it was a cause for optimism.

"We seem to be more in a time-pressured mode than the others. However, I am quite satisfied with the final position."

Ogura mentioned that adjusting to the time attack was more challenging than getting used to the race pace. However, he managed to overcome this hurdle with his one-lap speed on the last morning of testing.

He mentioned that maintaining a consistent speed is simpler than trying to set record times, which is where he faced difficulties both in Sepang and the previous day.

"This morning, it felt like I made a breakthrough and was able to improve by a couple of tenths. I believe I'm starting to adapt to the time attack mode on the MotoGP bike, which is our focus for today."

Ai Ogura makes a strong impression as he prepares for his first MotoGP race. The Japanese racer remains unfazed by the challenge of completing a full race distance.

The current Moto2 World Champion mentioned that their longest ride took place in Sepang. They added that they focused solely on Sprint simulations the previous day.

"However, at Sepang, I didn't encounter any issues during the full length of the main race."

Regarding the performance, in the initial race, you simply apply everything practiced during the test sessions, so we'll find out the results.

"Before participating in a race, it's hard to grasp the full picture. However, after completing the first race, everything becomes much clearer. Right now, my focus is simply on finishing one race."

In conclusion, Ogura discussed his experience adjusting to Michelin tires, highlighting the differences compared to the Pirellis and Dunlops he used in Moto2.

Ogura expressed a positive opinion about his adaptation, stating, "I believe it's well done."

"Yesterday, I had difficulty with braking in a straight line, but this morning I felt significantly improved. With the confidence I now have in the front tire, achieving a good lap time came more easily."

"I believe we are adjusting effectively, albeit gradually."

He mentioned, "The tire is significantly tougher, which positively means it's more stable. However, on the downside, it provides less feedback. Therefore, I need to adjust to the feel of it."

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Fermin Aldeguer describes an unconventional practice start resulting in a wild spin

"This was my initial experience slipping in such a manner…"

During the afternoon warm-up at the Buriram MotoGP trials, several competitors struggled with their starts, with Fermin Aldeguer experiencing the most difficulty in maintaining control off the line.

The newcomer from Spain lost control right from the start in one of his races, narrowly missing a direct collision with his Gresini Racing teammate, Alex Marquez, thankfully managing to evade any contact.

Aldeguer stated that the excessive spinning he experienced at the start was due to the state of the track in Buriram.

"Aldeguer described his initial experience with the Desmosedici GP24 in Buriram as ‘crazy’ after wrapping up day one."

"This was my initial instance of slipping in this manner, yet it's understandable given the state of the track, and other competitors are facing similar issues, albeit not to this extent. It's expected under these circumstances."

The newcomer wasn't positioned alongside his teammate at the starting line for that specific practice session for any specific purpose, like seeking advice from Marquez; it was merely by chance.

"In conclusion, I don't require Alex [Marquez]'s observation to determine the quality of my practice start," he clarified.

"The information allows us to view all aspects."

"We need to make some enhancements because the track was somewhat slick today, and we didn't perform at our best, but we'll see what happens."

In addition to the inconsistent beginnings in practice sessions, Aldeguer acknowledged facing challenges in adjusting his riding technique on the Ducati for the Buriram track, where he previously secured a victory in Moto2 in 2023.

"He mentioned that the track in Buriram is entirely distinct from Sepang."

Ultimately, it represents a distinct approach. Similarly, Michelin introduces a unique type of casing here, presenting yet another element to adjust to.

"Adjusting my approach to the track this morning proved challenging, but we maintained our composure and made significant progress after taking a break."

"We may not be leading, but progress is positively underway."

Statements given by Derry Munikartono in Buriram.

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Marco Bezzecchi expressed concerns, admitting he was unsure of his actions

An Aprilia racer looks back on the off-season period

Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia revealed that he had been consistently anxious about the 2025 MotoGP pre-season tests, even prior to Jorge Martin's injury, because he felt uncertain about his approach.

The racer, who has won three grand prix titles, had not been part of a factory team until the beginning of the 2025 season. Before that, he had been competing on a Ducati bike from the previous year with VR46 Racing.

The start of Aprilia's pre-season was thrown into disarray on the first day of the Sepang test when reigning world champion Jorge Martin endured a serious crash, resulting in several fractures. This incident is expected to keep him sidelined until at least the Thai Grand Prix.

Marco Bezzecchi assumes leadership at Aprilia

Despite being new to the team, Bezzecchi has led the testing of the 2025 RS-GP and has shown remarkable performance.

He concluded the Sepang test among the top 10 riders and recorded Aprilia's quickest lap ever at Buriram during the second day of the Thailand test.

Bezzecchi mentions that Aprilia instilled a great deal of confidence in him, which eased his anxiety and concerns about embarking on his new venture.

"It’s been a good pre-season for me, particularly due to the incident in Malaysia where Jorge got injured," he mentioned.

"The situation caused a lot of concern among everyone. Personally, I felt anxious the entire time since it was my debut as a factory rider, and I was unsure of the steps I needed to take."

"However, they eventually placed a lot of trust in me, which was encouraging. It was uplifting to witness the positive atmosphere and see everyone eager to get to work."

"This boosted my confidence to aim for the best outcome, making the pre-season a positive experience."

He stated, "I'm pleased. I sensed a favorable atmosphere for myself. Naturally, it's entirely unlike what I was accustomed to."

"However, truthfully, I've also encountered numerous dedicated individuals who put in a lot of effort, both at the workplace and in their personal lives. Therefore, I'm extremely pleased to be part of the Aprilia team."

Bezzecchi expressed his admiration for the RS-GP's front-end performance and mentioned that he is adjusting to the bike effectively. However, he remarked that he faces challenges with new tires during qualifying, even though he delivered an impressive lap in Buriram.

He admitted that he had been feeling positive since the Barcelona test in Montmelo last November, which took place after the season ended.

"Naturally, getting used to everything required time, and I believe I'm still adjusting in certain aspects of riding."

"Frankly speaking, this bike quickly instilled a strong sense of front-end confidence in me. This is crucial for adapting effectively."

"When you trust your instincts, things tend to get simpler in the end."

"However, I must admit that I'm still having difficulties with the new tires. The bike behaves quite differently when we equip it with the new tires, so I'm still in the process of fully adapting to the change."

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Concerning sounds emerge from KTM's pit as latest sensation puzzled by motorcycle's peculiarities

"The primary issue arose with me, as I'm still accustomed to the Ducati's handling,"

Enea Bastianini expressed concerns about his adjustment to the KTM following the first day of testing in Buriram.

Bastianini ranked 16th in the timing charts during the official MotoGP preseason trials.

He subsequently acknowledged that transitioning from the factory Ducati to a Tech3 KTM is turning out to be more challenging than initially expected.

"Bastianini mentioned on Wednesday that he was overwhelmed with tasks, largely due to a lack of motivation. Despite attempting numerous remedies, they ultimately proved ineffective."

"In the afternoon, we headed in the reverse direction."

"We experimented with something outside my typical preferences."

Ultimately, I was pleased with the bicycle.

The primary issue originated from me, as I possess a mindset aligned with Ducati's style.

"This bicycle doesn't exactly resemble a Ducati…"

Bastianini Expresses Surprise at KTM Differences

Bastianini has acknowledged his surprise at the significant differences between the Ducati and KTM motorcycles.

"Somewhat," he replied. "From an external perspective, it appeared fairly alike on the track.

"However, internally? It's a whole other story."

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

Bastianini identified the main aspect in which he's lagging.

"He clarified that utilizing the back brake is actually contrary to what one might expect."

Utilizing the back brake while on a straight path causes significant movement in the rear.

The tremors originating from the back proceed to the front!

"However, altering this following several years proves to be challenging. It would require a remarkable outcome."

Nonetheless, Bastianini noted, “My performance enhanced in the afternoon, and that brings me joy.”

He has an additional day to test his KTM prior to the inaugural race weekend in Thailand from February 28 to March 2.

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"Pecco Bagnaia's 'Body Language' Suggests He's Chasing Marc Marquez

During the MotoGP test in Buriram, the Italian rider's body language has caught attention."

The competition for dominance in the factory Ducati MotoGP garage between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez seems to be tilting in favor of the Spaniard, Marc Marquez.

Following the Sepang test, both competitors appeared to be quite evenly matched. Bagnaia achieved the fastest overall lap time, while Marquez excelled in the Sprint simulation.

During this week's MotoGP test in Buriram, Marquez has clearly outperformed his Italian teammate.

The eight-time World Champion led the first day of the Buriram test, while Bagnaia faced setbacks due to technical problems. On Thursday, the rider with the #63 was seen showing animated behavior during one specific return to the Ducati Lenovo Team's pit area.

"In this role, you won't receive all the details, so you need to become skilled at reading body language," explained Jack Appleyard, a pit lane reporter for MotoGP.com.

"Did you see how Pecco walked? And the manner in which he removed his glove?"

"I observed him being lively all day, but he seemed quite displeased."

"Up to this point, he is trying to match his teammate's performance."

Currently, it's hard to determine whether Bagnaia's animated reactions were due to his own performance or a recurrence of the technical issues he faced on Wednesday. However, during this last test of the 2025 preseason, Marquez seems to have the upper hand in the competition between the two factory Ducati riders. Both are undoubtedly the top contenders for this year's world championship title.

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Marc Marquez Points Out Flaws in 2025 Ducati MotoGP Engine

Leader of the First Day at Buriram Test Discusses Issues with Ducati's Engine

Marc Marquez has stated that Ducati's inclination to compete with the GP24 MotoGP engine in 2025 stems from the GP25 model having significant weaknesses.

At the Buriram testing event on Wednesday, the head of the Ducati team, Davide Tardozzi, revealed that the company is expected to approve the 2024 engine for the upcoming season. This decision comes as the GP25-spec engine was deemed too risky to proceed with.

Manufacturers without concessions will see their engine development halted for a two-year period starting with the first race of the 2025 season in Thailand.

Marquez states that Ducati shouldn't gamble on approving a GP25 model that the riders have reservations about, especially given its clear shortcomings, after the GP24 secured victories in 16 out of 20 races last season.

"Marquez pointed out, 'On one hand, we have the engine, and on the other, there are all these new, smaller components,' after leading the first day of testing in Buriram."

"Today, our focus was primarily on the 2024 engine for the majority of the day, as it seems that if the situation remains the same tomorrow, this will be our direction for the season."

"Why? The reason is that Ducati is highly pragmatic and intelligent. They're aware that it's too risky to approve an engine without being completely certain it surpasses the 2024 model. Once an engine is approved, it's set for two years."

"From the initial day until now, it's clear that the year 2025 has had its highs and lows – exhibiting remarkable strength in certain aspects, while showing notable weaknesses in others."

"Thus, they possess the expertise to utilize the 2024 model across various racing circuits."

"Last year, they secured victories in 16 races, indicating that the bike had a solid foundation."

"It appears that we are currently heading into the base, with plans to verify again tomorrow."

"I'm really confident with the 2024 foundation. By 2024, I mean the 2024 motorcycle model. It's built on the 2024 framework, including the motor, but there's been significant effort put into refining minor components that we're currently incorporating into that motor."

Francesco Bagnaia's assessment of the 2025 engine

Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia believes that the 2025 engine doesn't lack competitiveness inherently. However, he notes that the team has encountered challenges in achieving optimal braking balance, which affects their ability to race confidently with it.

"Truthfully, making a decision is quite challenging, and at present, we're all inclined toward the same option, including the team: opting for the 2024 engine," said Bagnaia, who finished eighth in Wednesday's race in Thailand.

"It's not that the 2025 season lacks competitiveness, but rather we're grappling with finding the right equilibrium in braking, and beginning the season with an engine for which we can't seem to find a resolution would essentially place us in a state of uncertainty."

"Moreover, we are fortunate that Marc [Marquez] encountered no problems today, as everything on my end of the garage was malfunctioning right from the beginning of the day."

"We faced numerous challenges, and thankfully, my team performed outstandingly, providing me with a slight chance to ride. However, today, right from the beginning, nothing seemed to function properly."

In 2022, Ducati's official team chose to use a previous version of the engine in its latest motorcycle following challenges during the pre-season testing with the complete GP22 engine.

Statements given by Derry Munikartono, the Indonesian Editor for Crash

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A MotoGP competitor acknowledges feeling tense on the motorcycle following an accident.

The racer from Trackhouse underwent a hand surgery recently.

Raul Fernandez reports feeling "devastated" following his initial experience with the Trackhouse Aprilia during the MotoGP test session in Buriram, coming shortly after undergoing an operation for a broken hand the previous week.

The second-place finisher in the 2021 Moto2 championship experienced a high-speed accident during the first day of the Sepang trials last week, resulting in a fracture to his left hand.

He was deemed unable to participate in the remainder of the test and returned to his home country for an operation. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, allowing him to make a comeback in Thailand this week.

He finished 33 circuits on Wednesday during the Buriram trial, landing in the 19th position on the leaderboard.

Raul Fernandez makes a comeback after being injured

Fernandez described the day as generally good, yet he acknowledges that his injuries prevent him from feeling comfortable while riding.

"I'm not in the best shape," he remarked.

Following the accident, I find it impossible to feel at ease while cycling.

"Fortunately for me, there aren't many left turns here, and particularly on those left turns, I'm unable to exert much effort due to my issues with both my finger and my foot."

"I'm unable to assume my usual posture on the bicycle; it feels nearly unachievable."

"For my experience, the initial day turned out to be very encouraging, with the level of discomfort being manageable. This was the most important aspect."

"Basically, we're currently focusing on our speed, making an effort to adapt to the used tire, instead of concentrating on achieving a faster lap time."

"I'm aware that nearly everyone is on the verge of demonstrating their speed capability through lap times."

"I don't see things that way. My attention is more on my own progress, and I'm genuinely pleased with our accomplishments today. All in all, it was a good day."

"I find myself unable to relax during left-hand turns, which complicates things since I struggle to position my feet as I'd prefer, forcing me to remain tense while navigating the bend."

"I'm devastated. Aside from that, the day went well."

Despite his discomfort, Fernandez anticipates returning to peak physical condition in time for the Thai Grand Prix happening at this month's close.

"In the competition, the aim is to be fully prepared because undergoing surgery was a step I took not just to participate, but also to ensure I'm in peak condition for the race week," he further stated.

"If the surgery doesn't go as planned, I might not be able to compete in the race. However, I'm optimistic and believe that I'll be between 95% to fully prepared for the event."

"If things don't go as planned, I'll stay concentrated and strive to give my all as usual.

"Overall, I find myself content. My aim today is to concentrate on the here and now, and for tomorrow, I'm hopeful since we're exploring a new approach, and I'm eager to discover the outcomes."

During Wednesday's test at Buriram, Fernandez had the opportunity to spend additional hours riding the 2025 RS-GP. He observed significant improvements compared to last year's model, though he mentioned the need for an adjustment period due to the bike's challenging handling.

"He mentioned noticing many positive aspects while cycling."

"I've noticed a couple or a few areas where we faced significant challenges since joining Aprilia, but we've made substantial progress in those areas."

"I find that the bicycle is quite simple to operate and I notice a distinct difference when riding it."

"Additionally, I believe this motorcycle possesses greater possibilities, especially regarding speed and circuit performance."

"I believe this bicycle has the potential to achieve greater speed. However, we require additional time to make improvements. It's not a simple bike to enhance."

"I require additional time to grasp the concept, and my team requires more time to determine the right configuration for speed. The real query is about the duration it will take for me to regain my speed on the motorcycle."

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