Bold claim: the GP24 vs GP25 debate has been overwhelmed by drama, when the real story is about consistent performance under changing conditions. Franco Morbidelli, the VR46 Ducati rider, argues that there has been too much noise around whether the GP24 or the GP25 was the stronger machine, especially after Ducati’s dominant GP24 season in 2024 but limited progress with the 2025 package.
In 2024, Ducati swept 19 of 20 races with the GP24, yet during winter testing they abandoned the full 2025 engine spec, opting for an updated 2024 engine instead. The GP25 then became the dominant package in 2025, with Marc Márquez winning 11 Grands Prix and 14 sprint races to clinch his seventh MotoGP title. Meanwhile, Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio struggled with consistency on the GP25.
At the same time, Alex Márquez and Fermin Aldeguer managed four wins on the 2024-spec machine with Gresini, and Márquez finished runner-up in the championship. This fueled a robust debate among satellite riders about whether they would benefit more from sticking with the GP24 or moving to the GP25 for 2026.
Morbidelli, who has been in the paddock for two decades, offered a pragmatic take:
- Ducati is a strong package across generations, and struggles happen with every version. He emphasized that both the GP24 and GP25 can perform exceptionally well when tuned correctly, but fall short when conditions aren’t optimal.
He pointed out that the GP25’s struggles were relatively limited, noting Márquez’s consistency and frequent top results on the GP25, with his only notable dip occurring in Indonesia. In Morbidelli’s view, this suggests the narrative around a clear, definitive superior version is overstated; the reality is that both generations have demonstrated high potential and have encountered ups and downs.
This discussion comes amid broader MotoGP dynamics, including Suzuki’s exit and ongoing debates about rider performance, injuries, and machine development. The central question remains: is one spec categorically better, or do context, setup, and rider adaptation determine success more than the model itself? What’s your take: should teams commit to one spec for multiple seasons or continuously adapt with the latest iteration? Share your thoughts below.
