The 2025 MotoGP kicked off this Friday in Buriram, and for Pecco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati), the slope is steep from the first day of the Thailand Grand Prix. Outside the top 10, the triple champion must go through Q1, a first since the entire 2024 season, while Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing) stole the show from his brother Marc (Lenovo Ducati) by taking the best time. Davide Tardozzi takes stock.
The 2025 MotoGP season got off to a flying start in Thailand, but not exactly as hoped Pecco Bagnaia. The pilot Ducati, the reigning vice-world champion, had a difficult first day at Buriram, finishing outside the top 10 and being forced to go through Q1 for qualifying. An unprecedented situation for bagnaia, who had not experienced this scenario once during the entire 2024 season.
The first day of Thailand Grand Prix has reserved its share of surprises, with Alex Marquez who snatched the best time from his brother Marc in the last moments of the session. But for bagnaia, the day was marked by disappointments. From the morning, the Italian driver seemed to have difficulty finding a good feeling with his Ducati Despite adjustments by his technical team, the problems persisted, particularly in braking, a usual strong point of bagnaia.
The situation got even more complicated at the end of the session. While he was in the middle of trying to improve his time, bagnaia saw his best lap cancelled due to a yellow flag, caused by the fall of Marco Bezzecchi at turn 3. In his final attempt, bagnaia was embarrassed by his friend and colleague from the VR46 Riders Academy, Franco Morbidelli, who was driving slowly at turn 5, thus ruining his fast lap. A situation which visibly annoyed bagnaia, who did not hide his frustration.
Davide Tardozzi: “ I think everything will be better tomorrow »
The incident between bagnaia et Morbidely did not go unnoticed. The Race Direction announced that it would examine the facts, in particular the behavior of Morbidely on the track. Davide Tardozzi, the team manager Ducati, expressed his dissatisfaction: " On the last lap Pecco was making time to enter the top ten, but he was unlucky to come across Morbidelli and other riders on his path. There was a lack of professionalism »
Despite these setbacks, Tardozzi remains optimistic for the rest of the weekend: " Pecco was not comfortable under braking, which is his strong point. The team reviewed some settings at the rear, but I think everything will be better tomorrow »
While bagnaia had a tough day, the brothers Marquez shone. Alex set the fastest time of the day, ahead of his brother Marc, who also showed competitive pace. Tardozzi praised their performance: “ Marc did his part, and I'm very happy for Alex.Having two Ducatis in the first two places is a great satisfaction for us. »
With a 12th place in the day's standings, bagnaia will have to go through Q1 on Saturday, a first in a long time for the Italian driver. However, no one doubts his ability to bounce back. bagnaia has already proven in the past that he knows how to handle pressure and overcome obstacles. Saturday's qualifying will therefore be crucial to allow him to regain a competitive position on the starting grid.
In the meantime, we can expect a weekend full of twists and turns, with a hierarchy starting to emerge and duels that promise to be intense. bagnaia Will he be able to reverse the trend? Answer on Saturday!
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MotoGP, Thailand D1: chronos
