MotoGP
MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix Review: Bagnaia shines in Spielberg
Bagnaia masters the Red Bull Ring to deliver yet another dominating weekend.
The Red Bull Ring in the Austrian mountains was the stage to the 11th Round of the 2024 FIM MotoGP world championship. Read about it all in DRC’s weekend Review for the 2024 MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix. Read the weekend preview here .
Bagnaia completes the Double
The Ducati domination continues. After missing out last time in Silverstone, Francesco Bagnaia was on top form as he scooped up both the Sprint and the Race victory at the Red Bull Ring. The Italian qualified second behind title-fight rival Jorge Martin, missing on pole by just one and a half tenths.
Pecco produced a fantastic hole-shot lights out on Saturday. He and Jorge Martin were then scrapping for the lead, after which Martin had to serve a Long Lap Penalty and settle for second in the sprint, Pecco finishing with a very comfortable margin.
Going into Sunday, both Bagnaia and Martin were tied on 250 points, with Pecco becoming the leader by the virtue of more race wins.
On Sunday, Bagnaia got a good start, and converted it into the lead at the end of Lap 1, completing the move and becoming the leader officially as He and Martin barreled into Turn 1 on the second lap. After which, he went on to inflate his lead eventually finishing a whopping 3.2 seconds ahead of Jorge. Bagnaia would go on to put in the fastest lap of the race. The speedy 1:29:519 also breaking the lap record in the process. This show of performance puts the reigning champion 5 points ahead of his nearest rival Martin.
Marquez has a topsy turvy weekend
Difficult, draining and rocky were the words to describe Marquez’s weekend in Austria. The Spaniard qualified third, half a second off pole. Although he was happy about the front row start, he was also dissatisfied with his lack of pace.
Come Saturday, he would maintain that third place, but as Jorge Martin served his long lap penalty, Marquez pounced and took second place. He had the pace to secure a silver medal in the sprint, but crashed out at turn 3.
Sunday didn’t bear much luck for the Spaniard either, as he collided with the Prima Pramac Ducati of Franko Morbidelli. The pair, who also collided in Sachsenring, saw Marquez coming off worse once again and dropping deep into the field. Marquez would then go on to make his way through the field, picking off places one after the other, to finally finish fourth.
One positive from his weekend was the great race pace he showed. He was able to keep up with Jorge Martin and even pull a gap on him. Qualifying pace needs to improve, however, as he tries to prove why he is the right choice for the Ducati ride next year.
Aprilia, Honda and Yamaha fail to deliver
Aprilia for the second weekend in a row, fail to deliver the goods after a promising start. Friday was frustrating for Aleix Espargaro, but he recovered to a third place finish in the sprint after Marquez crashed out. On the other factory Aprilia was Maveric Viñales, disappointed by a low P6 in Qualifying. The Trackhouse Aprilias were also disappointing, finishing 13th and 20th in Qualifying.
Things would only get difficult for Sunday. Both the factory Aprilias went backwards from the start, finishing P7 and P9. Oliveira on the Trackhouse Aprilia could only muster 12th. A growing concern for the Aprilia bikes is that they are loosing a lot of pace as the race goes on. After a decent start, every single Aprilia was overtaken as they sunk to the lower points paying positions.
Meanwhile, the Japanese manufacturers were once again starved for pickings. Honda and Yamaha combined managed to score only two points at the hands of Nakagami. Honda and Yamaha seem to be deep in the lower-midfield slump, and still have miles to return to the top competition.
Lukewarm home race for KTM
Celebrating the Austrian GP as their home grand prix, KTM had a weekend with very high peaks and the lowest of lows.
Pedro Acosta, who is the lead KTM rider in the championship, started with three different crashes on Friday. That, however would be the least of his troubles. The wonderkid was unable to recreate his magic that got him multiple podiums earlier in the year. He finished the race in 13th, scoring 3 points in a tumultuous weekend. His teammate Augusto Fernandes also struggled over the weekend, finishing with a single point.
The factory KTM team had a much better weekend though. The KTM hero Brad Binder made it to Q2, albeit in 12th place. His team-mate Jack Miller produced a blistering lap to start fifth come race-day, the Aussie still looking for a ride for next season. However, the talking point in qualifying was the Wildcard.
Pol Espargaro impressed and not only managed to get into Q2, but also out qualified Binder and started 10th. He would then finish 11th, in the points for KTM on Sunday.
Come raceday, Jack Miller went backwards, but still just. He was only overtaken by Marquez as he charged. However, that would all change as Miller crashed out of sixth at the turn two chicane. This was his first major points paying position since the last year, and will surely hamper his chances of getting a seat next season.
The Sunday man Brad Binder delivered a brilliant home race for KTM on the other side of the garage. He managed to climb up all the way from P12 to P5, and was set for a P4 finish had Marquez not charged past him. This now puts him 6th in the bigger scheme of things and he overtakes Pedro Acosta as the lead KTM in the championship.
Rider Market and Injury Updates
The MotoGP grid will be getting a new rookie next season. Trackhouse Racing have signed Moto2 rider Ai Ogura for two years starting 2025.
Congratulations are also in order for Frank Morbidelli, who joins Pertamina Enduro VR46 for the 2025 season and beyond. VR46 have also extended Fabio Di Gianntonio’s contract for another two years.
In other news, Diggia suffered a pretty heavy crash this weekend, which left him with a dislocated shoulder. He was not able to start either race and qualifying, and it is uncertain if he will recover for the next round.
Championship Standings
This is how the championship looks like after the Austrian Grand Prix:
The next round of the world championship will take place from Aug 30-Sep 1 at the Aragon circuit in Spain.
Follow DRC for more updates related to the world of motorsports.
MotoGP
MotoGP 2025 : Argentina awaits – can anyone rival Márquez?
Marc Márquez seeks to extend his championship lead as Francesco Bagnaia hopes to catch up, all while the reigning champion is still out of the action.
The MotoGP paddock returns to Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo in Argentina after a year away. Termas has delivered some of the most memorable battles and impressive performances in recent memory, from the likes of Marc Márquez and Valentino Rossi. Join us as we go over everything you need to know before the lights go out in Argentina.
Read more: Marquez brothers dominate the season opener at Buriram.
Can Márquez conquer Termas again?
Marc Márquez is definitely the favourite choice, going into the Argentine GP, coming off a masterclass performance in Thailand. Also, he is the most successful rider in Argentina, having won the Argentine GP three times already – in 2014, 2016 and 2019. He has also been involved in some of the most thrilling battles this track has seen – from Márquez’s clash and subsequent crash with The Doctor in 2015, to his battles with Rossi in 2016 and 2018 being some of the most memorable in recent history.
A clash of titans during the 2015 #ArgentinaGP ⚔️@ValeYellow46 🆚 @marcmarquez93 #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/T6NSRDYfXq
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 11, 2025
The question now is, with three wins to his name, will Márquez try to clench a fourth? Or will he be overpowered by a re-motivated Bagnaia?
Bagnaia seeking his way back to the top.
Although Márquez currently sits atop the championship standings, his teammate and two-time world champion Pecco Bagnaia seeks to change this. Bagnaia has stated, “We weren’t perfect in Thailand, we have to work to have our say this weekend.”
However, if we look at history, we see that Pecco hasn’t what one would call a strong track record in Termas. In fact, his best finishing position in Argentina is P5, and he crashed out of P2 the last time he raced here. The best move for Pecco right now would be to not let his ambition get the best of him, and tail behind Márquez, finishing on the podium and racking up points.
The defending champion Martin still out of the picture
Can't wait to have our Champ back! 🦾#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/oo6kB5ftCZ
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 4, 2025
Jorge Martin got into a significant crash during the Day 1 of Sepang testing. He sustained fractures to his right hand and left foot, and has underwent surgeries for it. He missed out on the season opener because of his injuries, and it appears that he has been ruled out for the second race as well. This is sure to make it more difficult for Martin to be a serious championship contender this year, especially with the pace that Márquez has found.
Could Bezzecchi hold any surprises?
Termas holds a special place in Marco Bezzecchi’s heart. It was where he got his first premier class victory in 2023. He has also taken victory in Argentina while in Moto3 in the year 2018. On the other hand, Aprilia has set a precedent of being a good performer in Argentina, and Ogura’s exploits during the season opener also deem it a competitive motorcycle in general. All these facts support the possibility of Marco Bezzecchi being a dark horse in this race. Bezzecchi has the ability to fight for the podium, or even the victory. But will he be able to find his channel his form from two years ago?
Is there a comeback in KTM’s fortunes?
After nothing short of an underwhelming performance in Thailand, KTM will surely be seeking redemption in Argentina, and Binder may be the only one who can do something about it.
Brad Binder took home the Argentine GP Sprint race victory in 2023, pulling off a spectacle starting from 15th on the grid. However, there have been 20 consecutive rounds since where Binder has not scored a podium in either a sprint race or a full-length race. However, standings-wise he is currently KTM’s best rider. Will KTM find redemption? Only time will tell.
Championship Standings
Following are the championship standings going into the Argentine GP :
Schedule and Where to Watch
All MotoGP sessions can be watched in India on Fancode (digital) or on Eurosport (TV broadcast).
Following is the complete schedule of the MotoGP race weekend in IST:
Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
MotoGP
MotoGP 2025 : Marquez brothers dominate the season opener at Buriram
Marquez brothers dominate the opening weekend of MotoGP at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram. This is the first 1-2 for brothers in MotoGP history.
The 2025 MotoGP season roared to life under the blisteringly hot sun at Buriram’s Chang International Circuit. The first GP of this season delivered a historic and emotional comeback for Marc Marquez who won a season opener since 2014 and is leading the championship for the first time since Valencia 2019. Join us as we review, session by session, the spectacle of the Thai GP.
Marc Márquez returns with a bang
In his debut in red, Marc Márquez comes in with a bang, snatching the triple-pole position in qualifying, victory in the sprint race and victory in the Grand Prix. He has an overall amazing weekend, comfortably cruising to a victory in the sprint race. This was Marc’s s 63rd MotoGP win and his third in Thailand (along with 2018 and 2019). He also equalled MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa in third on the list of riders with the most MotoGP podiums with 112.
However, in the Grand Prix, he inexplicably drops down to P2 behind his brother on the sixth lap.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! @marcmarquez93 SLOWS DOWN AND LOSES THE LEAD 🚨#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/fUnyJB9l7B
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 2, 2025
Allegedly, this was due to the tire pressure rule – Márquez had to keep his tire pressure over 1.82 bar for at least 60% of the race or suffer a 15-second penalty. If Marquez were to keep leading the pack, he would’ve been allegedly in violation of this rule, so he dropped behind his brother to pick up heat form his bike and keep the tire pressure high enough. He did overtake Alex in the final laps of the GP, winning the debut round of a season for the first time in 11 years.
Alex Márquez a surprising second
Alex Márquez had a standout weekend – he qualified in P2, came second in the sprint and came second in the Grand Prix. He even led the GP for almost 18 laps. Throughout the sprint, he masterfully defended against Francesco Bagnaia, retaining his position. Even while he was leading his brother, he gave him a hard time overtaking.
Alex’s record has shown that he takes time to get in form. He won the Moto3 championship in his 3rd year in the series, and the Moto2 championship in his 5th. Currently, this would be Alex’s 6th year in MotoGP. Could he be a title contender this season, going against Pecco, Martin or even his brother Marc?
Ai Ogura’s MotoGP Debut, Aprilia capable enough for Martin?
Of the four rookies this year, Ai Ogura was the best performer in the Thai GP. Riding on an Aprilia for Trackhouse Racing, Ogura qualified P5. His performance in the sprint was consistent, holding on to P4 throughout 14 laps, fending off the likes of Miller and Morbidelli. In the beginning of the GP, Ogura was even pressuring Bagnaia from P4, however, in the later laps he fell behind to P5, being overtaken by Morbidelli.
It wasn't a fluke 💪@AiOgura79 brings an outstanding P5 home at his debut 👏#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/4IWilk3I1U
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 2, 2025
Seeing the Aprilia being placed consistently in the top 5 by a rookie must have instilled some extra confidence in Jorge Martin about the capabilities of the bike. Unfortunately, it appears like Martin is going to be out of the picture for a few more races to come, no thanks to the surgery he underwent.
KTM all over the grid, Acosta underperforms
Of all the manufacturers, KTM’s performance in the debut round was the most underwhelming. Only one of their riders, Pedro Acosta, even made it into Q2. KTM’s best performer in the sprint race was Acosta, who finished in P6, with Binder in P8. The Tech3 crew consisting of Viñales and Bastianini finished in a disappointing P14 and P18 respectively.
In the Grand Prix, Acosta botched the start and fell back into P9. He tried to fight for a total of three laps, after which he crashed out and fell straight to the back of the pack. KTM’s best performer in the GP was Binder, who finished in P8.
Safe to say, this was an underwhelming performance for KTM. Last year, KTM looked like the only manufacturer who could challenge the Ducati dominance. Along with that, they had built a star studded roster with the likes of Bastianini and Viñales. However, both of them have not yet been able to adapt to the bike, and are performing below their potential.
The comeback of the Japanese manufacturers?
Unlike last year, Yamaha and Honda are not at the absolute back of the pack! In fact, Honda had two riders finish in the Top 10 for the sprint race, and one in the GP too. Johann Zarco finished P7 for his best result with Honda, which is also Honda’s best result since Marc
Marquez was sixth in Thailand in 2023.
Meanwhile, Yamaha had Quartararo finish P7 in the sprint race, and Miller finish just out of the Top 10 in the Grand Prix. This is a sign of improvement for the Japanese manufacturers. It remains to be seen whether they will carry this momentum throughout this season and the next, and if they will be competing for the top anytime soon.
Highlights of the Thai GP
Following are some moments in the weekend that I consider particularly exciting :
- The battle between PA37 and BB33 for P8 in the sprint race.
- JM43’s crash out from P6 in the sprint race.
- PA37’s crash out in the third lap of the Grand Prix.
- The battle between JM43 and MB72 in the Grand Prix.
- Marc’s overtake on Alex in the Grand Prix.
Championship Standing
This is what the championship standings look like after the Thai GP :
Read more posts on MotoGP here.
Desi Racing Co is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
MotoGP is heading to Thailand for the sixth time in their history, this also marks the first time the country is hosting a season opener. It is also the first time we have a season opener in South East Asia for the first time since 1999, underscoring the region’s growing significance in the sport. Here are the top storylines for this weekend:
Marc Marquez Makes his Debut in Red
Mar Marquez, who was the face of Honda for over a decade, which helped him bag 6 premier class titles switched to Ducati last year, driving a year-old Desmosedici with Gresini. This year, however, he has made a switch to red, joining the Factory Ducati outfit. Hopes are high for the Spaniard who was constantly challenging the factory riders with his a-year older bike, helping him finish third in the Riders Championship. Stats favour Marquez heading into Buriram, as the Ducati bike has been on the pole, won the sprint race and the main race in the last 2 years. Marquez is also the rider with the most wins (2) in the current grid in Buriram.
A point to prove for Francesco Bagnaia
The 2023 MotoGP Champion, Francesco Bagnaia lost out the title last year by fine margins to Jorge Martin. This year, Bagnaia will be looking to turn things around and take his second premier class title. But it will not be an easy feat, as he has been teamed up against one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport.
Setback for Aprillia and Jorge Martin
Jorge Martin created history in MotoGP last year, becoming the only rider to win the title with a satellite team, albeit they were running the factory bikes. But the start of 2025 is not what he would have hoped for. During Day 1 of the Sepang Pre-Season test, Martin had a huge moment on track which ruled him out of the remainder of the test initially. Medical checks diagnosed him with a right-hand fracture and fractures in his left foot, with surgeries to take place later that week. Now, even though the surgeries went well, Martin has been ruled out of Round 1 at Buriram and also Round 2 in Argentina.
❌ @88jorgemartin is set to miss Argentina according to Aprilia Racing's CEO #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/xIp9XU00xl
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 27, 2025
Shark Attack in MotoGP: Acosta’s KTM Debut
When Pedro Acosta made his debut last year, hopes were high for the rookie, and boy did he deliver. The satellite KTM rider had 5 podiums, most of any KTM rider, and he finished just 2 points shy of factory rider Brad Binder in a satellite bike. This year he has been promoted to the factory KTM outfit. Confident and fast through testing, can last year’s rookie revelation cause a stir from the start? Yet to bag that first MotoGP Grand Prix victory, it’s a story not just for Thailand but for 2025.
Fresh faces: Rookies to watch out for
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP) was one of the standout performers in testing and along with fellow Aprilia rider Bezzecchi, notched up more laps than anyone else. Keep an eye on the #79 during the first round, he may be a surprise package. Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had a sparkling pre-season too and was one to watch; the Buriram Test proved more challenging but when the visor goes down when it matters, Aldeguer is very likely going to be there.
A rockstar in Thailand and one of the stars of the Season Launch, Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU LCR Honda) has perhaps the hardest job of all the rookies: he’s on an improving but not yet perfected Honda and he’s making his debut at home. He’ll be looking to have a solid weekend on track and shine in the spotlight off it.
Yamaha and Honda on an upward trajectory
Yamaha and Honda appear to be on an upward trajectory as the 2025 MotoGP season kicks off. Fabio Quartararo impressed with his consistency at the Sepang Test, while both he and Alex Rins showed promising improvements at Buriram. With Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP now fielding factory-spec bikes, Jack Miller is already settling in, and Miguel Oliveira is expected to unlock more pace. Meanwhile, Honda’s HRC Castrol squad made notable progress, with Joan Mir and Luca Marini showing competitive pace over Sprint simulations. Johann Zarco continues to be a key asset, and with Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami bolstering Honda’s development, the Japanese manufacturer seems well on its way back to the front.
Schedule and Where to Watch MotoGP in India
You can watch all the MotoGP sessions live in India on Fancode (digital) and Eurosport (TV Broadcast).
The complete schedule in IST is given below:
Two world championships with season openers on the same weekend. Read our WEC Qatar 1812KM preview here.
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