MotoGP season opener in Buriram: Marc Marquez wins despite tire pressure problems

The 2025 MotoGP season has kicked off with the race in Buriram (Thailand) – and one name is immediately back in the spotlight: Marc Marquez. The newcomer to the Ducati works team was able to prevail in both the sprint and the main race, making a perfect start to the new season. Particularly noteworthy: The eight-time world champion had to fight for his victory in the main race with adapted tactics after problems with the air pressure in the front tire arose.

Exciting start with tactical games

Marc Marquez took the lead of the field in the first few laps of the main race and seemed to be heading for an unchallenged victory. But then he noticed that the air pressure in the front wheel had dropped below the prescribed value. In order to avoid a possible penalty, he dropped back and lined up behind his brother Alex Marquez, who rides for the Gresini team. There he stayed in the slipstream for a few laps to bring the tire pressure back into the permitted range. Only later did he attack again and secured victory.

Marquez brothers make history

The race in Thailand was a historic event for the Marquez family anyway: for the first time in MotoGP history, two brothers finished first and second in a Grand Prix. Alex Marquez rode a strong race and was able to keep Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning runner-up in the world championship, at bay. Bagnaia had to settle for third place, leaving the podium entirely in Ducati hands.

Bagnaia struggles with his speed

Francesco Bagnaia was less than satisfied with his third place after the race. He had already finished third in the sprint and was unable to get any closer to the Marquez brothers in the main race. The tire pressure in particular caused him problems, which repeatedly slowed him down when trying to overtake Alex Marquez. “I’m not here to finish third,” Bagnaia made clear after the race. Nevertheless, he also saw some positives: Ducati was able to solve some technical problems from the tests during the weekend.

Ducati dominates – competition looking to catch up

With Marc Marquez’s victory, Ducati clinched its 18th Grand Prix win in a row. This brings the brand closer to Honda’s record of 22 consecutive victories in the past. For Ducati itself, it was an almost perfect start – even if the team had to admit that it had miscalculated the tire pressure a little. However, Marc Marquez took the mishap in his stride and made it clear that such set-up problems are normal at the start of a collaboration.

Alex Marquez much improved

Alex Marquez was also able to shine with his second place. After a rather mixed 2024 season, in which he did not really get to grips with the Ducati GP23, he feels much more comfortable on the current model. This was already evident at the tests in Sepang and Barcelona, where he was fast right from the start. The fact that he has now finished on the podium in his very first race confirms the positive trend.

Ai Ogura impresses on debut

Another name that attracted attention in Buriram was Ai Ogura. The MotoGP rookie rode straight to fifth place in his first Grand Prix – a result last achieved by Marc Marquez on his debut in 2013. Ogura himself modestly explained his success with good teamwork. He had also already achieved a strong result in the sprint with fourth place.

Results of the Grand Prix of Thailand (March 2, 2025)

1st Marc Márquez (E), Ducati – 26 laps in 39:37.244 minutes
2nd Alex Márquez (E), Ducati – +1.732 seconds
3rd Francesco Bagnaia (I), Ducati – +2.398 seconds
4th Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati – +5.176 seconds
5th Ai Ogura (J), Aprilia – +7.450 seconds
6th Marco Bezzecchi (I), Aprilia – +14.967 seconds
7th Johann Zarco (F), Honda – +15.225 seconds
8th Brad Binder (ZA), KTM – +19.929 seconds
9th Enea Bastianini (I), KTM – +20.553 seconds
10th Fabio Di Giannantonio (I), Ducati – +21.546 seconds
11th Jack Miller (AUS), Yamaha – +22.315 seconds
12th Luca Marini (I), Honda – +23.940 seconds
13th Fermin Aldeguer (E), Ducati – +24.760 seconds
14th Miguel Oliveira (P), Yamaha – +26.097 seconds
15th Fabio Quartararo (F), Yamaha – +26.456 seconds
16th Maverick Viñales (E), KTM – +28.770 seconds
17th Alex Rins (E), Yamaha – +31.095 seconds
18th Somkiat Chantra (T), Honda – +31.480 seconds
19th Pedro Acosta (E), KTM – +42.115 seconds
20th Lorenzo Savadori (I), Aprilia – +46.827 seconds

Retirements: Joan Mir (E), Honda; Raul Fernandez (E), Aprilia

World Championship standings after 2 of 44 races

1st Marc Marquez – 37 points
2nd Alex Marquez – 29 points
3rd Francesco Bagnaia – 23 points
4th Franco Morbidelli – 18 points
5^th Ai Ogura – 17 points

Constructors’ Championship

1st Ducati – 37 points
2nd Aprilia – 17 points
3rd KTM – 12 points
4th Honda – 10 points
5^th Yamaha – 8 points

Team classification

1st Ducati Lenovo Team – 60 points
2nd BK8 Gresini Racing – 32 points
3rd Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing – 24 points
4th Trackhouse MotoGP Team – 17 points
6^th Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – 14 points

Outlook for Argentina

The next race is in Termas de Río Hondo (Argentina) in two weeks’ time. Marc Marquez is also one of the favorites there, as he has impressed on this track several times in the past. It will be particularly exciting to see whether Ducati can get the set-up problems with the tire pressure under control by then – and whether Bagnaia can find a way to catch up with the Marquez brothers.

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