In the lead-up to the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, it is not uncommon for older bikes to outperform newer ones as teams settle in. However, this has not been the case in 2024 for Ducati. The GP24 bike has been incredibly fast, but one of the riders on the older GP23 has consistently been on par with those on the newer specification. This could pose a dilemma for factory boss Gigi Dall’Igna as he tries to solve the Marc Marquez situation.
Ducati’s progress in 2024 has been a mixed bag. While last year’s championship contender Jorge Martin has a comfortable lead on the Pramac Racing machine, other riders have faced difficulties. Reigning world champion Pecco Bagnaia has struggled with chatter issues on the factory bike, partly due to Michelin’s introduction of a slightly different new tire this season. His teammate Enea Bastianini has had a better start, but still falls short of Ducati’s expectations compared to satellite racer Martin.
The situation is even worse for the GP23 racers. Normally, they start the season with a fully developed and refined machine that is plug-and-play. However, this season has been different. The GP23 bike not only faces the same Michelin issues as the 2024 bike but is also slower. This performance difference has led to disappointing results for riders like Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, who were race winners in 2023.
The focus has largely been on Marc Marquez, the six-time MotoGP champion, as he adapts to Ducati after spending his entire premier class career on Hondas. Despite facing multiple dramas, including contact with Bagnaia and brake issues, Marquez has shown impressive pace on the Gresini bike. His results may not reflect it yet, but he has the potential to be one of the fastest Ducatis on the track.
This poses a potential problem for Ducati, especially considering the difficulties faced by the factory team. Should they continue to focus on fixing Bagnaia’s problems or invest in developing the year-old machine for Marquez’s potential? Team manager Dall’Igna is determined to win and has never been too concerned about which rider achieves that. He also sees Marquez as a long-term investment for the factory, especially with the rise of KTM/Gas Gas’s Pedro Acosta.
The post-race test at Jerez will provide some insight into Ducati’s future direction. It will be an opportunity to trial new parts for Marquez and for the factory team to find their way back on track. This issue also raises questions about the future. With one seat still open in Ducati’s factory team alongside Bagnaia, Marquez is believed to be a key target. However, if Pramac switches to Yamaha next year and Gresini receives a factory bike, Marquez may be convinced to stay with his current team.
One thing is clear: Marquez’s ambition to return to winning ways is now more realistic than ever. However, his success may depend on the support he receives to fully realize his potential.