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Buriram Post-Test Round Up, Part 1: Are Ducati Standing Still?

By David Emmett |

"This test, these tests don't mean anything, but it means a lot in the same time," said Joan Mir on Thursday after the MotoGP test at Buriram had finished. Though the Honda HRC Castrol rider was talking about the progress made during the test rather the results, he has succinctly summed up precisely how to view the outcome of preseason testing for 2025.

The standings at the end of the Buriram test do not set the outcome of the 2025 MotoGP season in stone. But the times set and the work done do give a good indication of where everyone stands ahead of the first round of the season, and the paths they are headed down. The results of preseason testing should be taken seriously, but not literally.

So what can we say about the outcome of the Buriram tests? A few thoughts, spread over several articles. Starting with Ducati. Why did they revert to the GP24? And does that mean they are going backward?

2025
MotoGP
Buriram, Thailand
Ducati
CormacGP
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Comments

Like a healthy Marc Marquez on a competitive GP bike

All respect due to Pecco but Marc is an all timer in terms of pure motorcycle talent

His debriefs have been downright ominous. He is trying and failing to disguise his comfort and advantage

I am all for it. I really hope Jorge Martin can recover. Super excited about this season!!!!

Honda and Yamaha both refined their bikes right to the back of the grid, following data and doctrine driven plans even as the riders begged and pleaded for them not to. 

Ducati have 2 of the best riders on the grid and no doubt plenty of chassis/aero/suspension tricks up their sleeve. Going with the rider's choice on engine and frames looks like a strength from here.

Honda pretty much stopped developing the bike from the time Marc arrived until maybe last summer. Yamaha has not been able to make heads or tails of the Michelin tires. Both of their problems stemmed from bad leadership, which has been fixed and is showing real tangible promise. Fabio didnt gain 0.8s on his fast lap at Sepang by chance. Both factories are closing the gap.

Jorge's not forgotten, but behind a big 8-ball ..  losing all those laps at the test.   will big bro Aleixis be able to help ?

?Can anyone challenge the Lenovo pair with Jorge on back foot?     

From one point of view Ducati have taken a step up. Last year, of the 8 Ducati at each race, half were slower GP23s.  This year they have 2 less bikes on the grid per race but all of them are GP24. So, provided the riders can get the bikes to work, it's looking less promising for the other manufacturers even though Ducati have abandoned the GP25. A kick in teeth. 

I agree WaveyD. The ONLY person that could keep up and beat the GP 24 was Marc.....and he's now on THE bike. If his debriefs have been ominous, as someone posted above, the racing between team mates will be interesting.

24.9 whatever. It's not the leap from 23 to 24. It should be fairly demoralising to see your opponents ditch the new bike because the old one is good enough. We shouldn't forget that the Aprilia was good enough to beat the GP24s, very occasionally. It looks to me like their success relies on them improving enough to beat last years Ducati. Last year there were 4, this year 6 with half of them an improved version...point 5 ? Point 2 ?