Alex Marquez backs Ducati’s decision to use Desmosedici GP24 engine

Ducati opts for Desmosedici GP24 over GP25 due to reliability concerns.

Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP rounds a bend during the Thailand MotoGP Test at Chang International Circuit on February 13, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

By Yuni Utomo and Randy Ahmad

Alex Marquez has expressed his full support for Ducati’s decision to use the Desmosedici GP24 engine for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons. The younger brother of Marc Marquez believes that the GP24 engine is the best option for Ducati riders, as it has already been tested in race conditions and has shown minimal technical issues.

Ducati made the call to stick with the GP24 engine after its factory team, Ducati Lenovo, encountered significant problems with the new GP25 engine during pre-season testing. As a result, six Ducati riders, including Alex Marquez, will be using the GP24 engine throughout the 2025 MotoGP season.

Ducati chooses stability over innovation

Ducati’s decision to continue using the Desmosedici GP24 engine for two consecutive seasons marks a significant shift in the team’s strategy. Traditionally, manufacturers introduce new engine upgrades each season to improve performance. However, Ducati has opted for stability rather than innovation after experiencing issues with the GP25 engine during testing.

Before the start of the season, Ducati riders, including defending champion Francesco Bagnaia, took part in two pre-season tests at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia and the Buriram Circuit in Thailand. These tests revealed persistent issues with the GP25 engine, prompting the team to abandon its development in favor of the proven GP24 engine.

Alex Marquez supports Ducati’s choice

Alex Marquez, who will be riding for the Gresini Ducati team, has welcomed the decision. He believes that sticking with the GP24 engine is a logical choice, as it has already demonstrated strong reliability and performance.

"The decision has been taken, and the engine for the 2025 and 2026 seasons will be the same as the 2024 engine," Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi told Crash on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Marquez echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the GP24 engine has been thoroughly tested and offers Ducati riders a stable platform for the next two seasons.

"They can't take the risk of deciding on new engines for 2025 and 2026 if they don't see the benefits clearly," Marquez said. "So it's better to keep the 2024 engine, which has proven to perform well."

Stability could give Ducati an edge in MotoGP 2025

Ducati’s decision to stick with the Desmosedici GP24 engine could give them a competitive advantage over rival manufacturers. With a stable and well-tested engine, Ducati riders can focus on fine-tuning their setups rather than dealing with the unpredictability of a new power unit.

Marquez highlighted that this consistency could lead to more balanced competition within Ducati’s ranks, as all riders will have access to the same proven technology.

"This is a good thing because we can compare a little, and the results will be more balanced," Marquez concluded.

As MotoGP 2025 kicks off, Ducati’s decision to prioritize reliability over innovation will be closely watched. Whether this strategy pays off in the championship fight remains to be seen.

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