The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, which kicked off on April 25, is proving to be a crucial crossroads for the MotoGP season, with Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia breaking his silence on his Ducati situation, sending out a strong message ahead of the race. Championship leader Marc Marquez responded with his usual grit, while Honda issued a warning that shook the paddock. On a day marked by Alex Marquez’s lap record and Fabio Quartararo’s surprising competitiveness, Jerez promises to be a fiery weekend, with heated rivalries and sky-high expectations.
Bagnaia, coming off a 2025 season dominated by teammate Marc Marquez, has spoken openly about the difficulties he has faced with the Ducati GP25. After a third-place finish, 26 points behind Marquez, Pecco admitted to Crash.net: “Marc is pushing the bike to the limits, but I am finding my rhythm. Jerez is my track, and I am ready to respond.” His confidence comes from three consecutive wins at Jerez from 2022 to 2024, including a memorable duel with Marquez last year, which left tyre marks on their leathers. However, Pecco acknowledged that Marquez’s supremacy, with seven wins from eight races, requires a change: “I need to manage the sprints better and find consistency.”
Marc Marquez, who has set an unstoppable pace on the factory Ducati, was quick to respond. After finishing fourth in free practice behind his brother Alex, he said: “Pecco is strong, but Jerez is unpredictable. I am giving it my all, but I am not at my best.” His dominant season, with three Grands Prix and all four sprint wins, makes him the favourite, but a near-miss at Turn 6 during practice was a reminder of just how thin the margin for error is. Marquez, who turned down a €100 million offer from Honda to join Ducati, is aiming to equal the Japanese manufacturer’s record of 22 consecutive victories with a home triumph.
Honda, despite its difficulties, issued a warning that surprised the paddock. Joan Mir, fifth in FP1, showed signs of improvement, and team manager Alberto Puig said: “Don’t underestimate us. We are working on new solutions, and Jerez could be a turning point.” The Japanese firm, which lost Marquez after years of success, is looking to relaunch, with Johann Zarco and Luca Marini testing crucial components for 2026. However, their distance from Ducati remains evident, and the focus is on Monday’s post-race test, where new parts will be tried.
Alex Marquez stole the show with a 1:35.991 lap record, returning to the track after a crash at Turn 5. His performance prompted Marc to call him “the strongest” at Jerez, an accolade that underlines the Gresini rider’s moment of glory. Quartararo, third in FP1 on a revitalised Yamaha M1, added an element of unpredictability, declaring: “We can fight for the podium.” His crash and return to the track showed a determination that could upset Ducati’s plans.
Chaos in practice, with crashes for Miller, Fernandez, Ogura and Binder, highlighted the difficulty of Jerez, exacerbated by the new Michelin tyres. Morbidelli, third for VR46, and Acosta showed flashes of talent, but the Ducatis of Marc, Pecco and Alex remain the machines to beat. Bagnaia, who will test new GP25 components on Monday, stressed the importance of not letting one’s guard down, a sentiment echoed by Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna, who praised Marquez but warned: “The rivals are close.”
Jerez, which celebrates 40 years since it opened, is set for an epic weekend. The rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez, fueled by Pecco’s words and Marc’s response, is the heart of the race, but Quartararo and Honda could play the role of outsiders. With the Andalusian crowd in delirium and the track that has hosted legendary duels, the question is: will Bagnaia be able to turn the season around, or will Marquez consolidate his dominance? One thing is for sure: Jerez will be the scene of an unforgettable battle.