The 2025 MotoGP season is set to be thrilling. Several key team and rider changes have shaken up the grid.
Ducati remain the team to beat ahead of their 2025 MotoGP campaign. However, their rivals have strengthened their line-ups for a title push.
Ducati’s Dominance Under Threat
Reigning champion Jorge Martín will start the season on the back foot. A pre-season injury means he will miss the opening race in Thailand, with Lorenzo Savadori replacing him. Marc Márquez, who joins Lenovo Ducati alongside Francesco Bagnaia, will look to capitalise on this.
Márquez showed flashes of brilliance with Gresini Racing in 2024. Now, he has a factory bike to challenge for the title. Ducati have the best machinery on the grid, but their in-house battle could be intense.
Aprilia Racing have also improved their line-up. Jorge Martín’s switch from Pramac Ducati makes them serious contenders. Marco Bezzecchi joins him, replacing the retired Aleix Espargaró.
KTM Step Up
KTM have bolstered their squad. Pedro Acosta moves up to the factory team after an impressive rookie campaign. He partners with Brad Binder, who is eager to challenge for the title.
Tech3 KTM, now back under the KTM umbrella, also have a strong line-up. Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales bring experience and pace. This could be a turning point for KTM in their fight against Ducati.
South Africa’s Brad Binder (68.21) has been a consistent performer. With a competitive bike, he could be a real threat in the title race. However, he will need to improve his qualifying performances to challenge the front runners.
Yamaha’s Big Gamble
Yamaha have taken a huge risk. Prima Pramac Racing have switched from Ducati to Yamaha in a major shake-up. This gives Yamaha two extra bikes on the grid but comes with challenges.
Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller lead their charge. Oliveira has experience with different manufacturers, while Miller returns to the team after four years away. However, Yamaha’s pace deficit to Ducati and KTM remains a concern.
Fabio Quartararo will be key to Yamaha’s progress. He has carried the factory team for years. If Yamaha provides a more competitive bike, he could be a contender.
Honda’s Rebuild
Honda is in a rebuilding phase. Repsol ended their long-term sponsorship, with Castrol taking over. The departure of Marc Márquez in 2023 left a huge void, and results have suffered.
LCR Honda have fresh talent in Somkiat Chantra, who joins Johann Zarco. The team are banking on his Moto2 success translating to MotoGP. Meanwhile, Takaaki Nakagami moves into a test rider role.
The challenge for Honda is closing the performance gap. They are no longer the dominant force they once were. 2025 could be another tough year for them.
New Faces and Farewells
Several rider changes add excitement to the season. Fermín Aldeguer gets his big break with Gresini Racing. He replaces Marc Márquez (1.48) and will ride a Ducati factory-spec bike.
Pedro Acosta’s promotion to KTM is another key move. The young Spaniard impressed in his rookie season. He now has the machinery to fight at the front.
Aleix Espargaró’s retirement marks the end of an era. He played a crucial role in Aprilia’s resurgence. His departure leaves a gap, but Jorge Martín’s arrival could push the team forward.
Season Outlook
Ducati are still the team to beat, but the gap is closing. KTM and Aprilia have improved. Yamaha are taking risks to regain competitiveness.
South Africa’s Brad Binder has a chance to fight for the title. However, he will face stiff competition from Bagnaia, Márquez, Martín, and Acosta. The 2025 MotoGP season promises to be one of the most competitive in years.
