In the world of tabloid journalism, the future of Enea Bastianini in MotoGP is uncertain. Despite being just two points behind his Ducati teammate Pecco Bagnaia, it seems unlikely that Bastianini will be able to hold onto his ride in 2025. The competition for his seat is fierce, with two rivals who are not to be underestimated. One of these rivals is Jorge Martin, who had a strong performance last year and is currently leading the championship. The other is Marc Marquez, a six-time MotoGP champion who would bring a wealth of sponsorship opportunities to Ducati. While Bastianini has shown promise this season, it remains to be seen if it will be enough to secure his place in the team.
Bastianini’s first season with Ducati was marred by injuries, making it difficult to assess his true potential. However, he has shown improvement this year, particularly in his ability to handle the 2024 Ducati. While he has been consistent in scoring points, he has struggled to match the pace of Martin and Bagnaia. At the French Grand Prix, Bastianini had a strong showing and was in contention for victory. Unfortunately, a mistake cost him valuable time and he was unable to recover. Despite this setback, his pace throughout the race was impressive, with his fastest lap being significantly better than his competitors.
Ducati’s general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, acknowledged that Bastianini’s performance at Le Mans has made the decision for the 2024 season more difficult. However, it is clear that Martin and Marquez are the more obvious choices for the team. Bastianini’s unique riding style, which focuses on attacking in the closing stages of a race, may not be well-suited to the sprint races that have been introduced in MotoGP. While he recognizes the challenges he faces, Bastianini believes that Ducati sees his potential and what he is capable of achieving.
Ultimately, Ducati faces a difficult decision. They have a wealth of talented riders to choose from, but Bastianini’s skills and potential should not be overlooked. It remains to be seen if he will be able to secure his place in the team or if he will have to accept a demotion within the ranks.