Alex Marquez Provides Sneak Peek at Ducati's 2025 Aero Development at Valencia MotoGP

Valencia, Spain – Alex Marquez, riding for the Gresini Racing MotoGP team, offered a glimpse into Ducati’s future aerodynamic direction during Friday practice sessions at the Valencia Grand Prix. The younger Marquez brother tested a prototype 2025-specification aerodynamic package on his Ducati GP24 machine, a move expedited due to anticipated cold conditions during Tuesday’s official post-season test at the same circuit.

Marquez, who has campaigned on a year-old GP24 throughout the 2024 season, took to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit with a motorcycle visibly sporting revisions to its aerodynamic fairing. The Gresini rider dedicated a significant portion of the day to evaluating the new components. This prototype aero package is believed to be an evolution of designs utilized by factory Ducati riders Francesco Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini, and Jorge Martin throughout the current season.

Testing Protocol and Rationale

The team’s strategy involved an initial phase of extensive testing with the upgraded aero configuration, followed by a reversion to the rider’s familiar setup for simulated time-attack runs later in the afternoon. This allowed for a direct comparison of performance characteristics between the two specifications.

Related News :

Marquez’s program calls for continued back-to-back evaluations of both aero configurations during the remaining practice sessions. The data gathered will inform his ultimate decision regarding which version to campaign during Saturday’s sprint race and Sunday’s main event Valencia Grand Prix.

Explaining the rationale behind the early implementation of the testing program, Marquez cited concerns regarding track temperatures during the scheduled post-season test. "I tried the aero. The plan was to try [it] on Tuesday," Marquez stated. "But already we have started trying a few things over the weekend because Tuesday will be quite a cold day, and we won’t have a lot of hours on track with a good temperature. We need to anticipate some things, so we can focus more on the important things during the test on Tuesday."

Performance and Championship Context

Despite the testing workload, Marquez concluded Friday’s practice sessions in fourth place overall, positioning him just over two-tenths of a second behind the pace-setting rookie sensation Pedro Acosta, who topped the timesheets on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine.

Marquez acknowledged that the aero testing program diverted resources away from standard chassis and setup refinement. "We focused more on trying different packages and not extracting the potential from the bike [or] improving our set-up, so tomorrow we’ll have double work," he explained.

With his second-place position in the MotoGP World Championship independent riders’ standings already secured, Marquez expressed a relaxed approach to the weekend. "I’m trying a few things because I’m more relaxed, I don’t fight for nothing now in the championship, so I can try the things and I’m enjoying it. Trying [new] things is something that I like, so tomorrow we’ll focus again on some packages – I will decide which one and then we’ll try to extract [the most from it]."

Aerodynamic Evolution and Rider Feedback

While Marquez stopped short of offering a detailed comparative analysis of the 2025 aero package versus the current design, he emphasized the value of testing components with proven performance. The confidence stems from the prior validation of similar parts by the factory Ducati team.

"It’s different. It’s one aero that already the three official guys tried during the season, but they [Ducati] wanted more information, they also wanted other common riders [to try them]," Marquez noted. "Since these are things that have already been tested by other riders, you’re not as cautious because you know those parts work and that they’re not going to do anything unexpected. You’re a bit more confident."

Ducati’s Development Trajectory

Ducati Corse, the racing division of the Italian manufacturer, has consistently pursued aerodynamic innovation in MotoGP. The factory team has introduced increasingly complex fairing designs in recent seasons, aimed at improving downforce, reducing wheelie tendency, and optimizing cornering performance. The data gathered from Alex Marquez’s tests will feed into the ongoing development of the 2025 Ducati Desmosedici GP machine.

The Valencia test serves as a crucial opportunity for Ducati to gather data and refine its designs ahead of the winter testing ban. The feedback from Marquez, along with the factory riders, will play a vital role in shaping the competitive edge of the Ducati motorcycles in the 2025 MotoGP season.

Background: Alex Marquez and Gresini Racing

Alex Marquez joined the Gresini Racing team in 2023 after a stint with Honda. The move to Ducati machinery has revitalized his MotoGP career, with the Spaniard achieving consistent top-ten finishes and scoring multiple podiums. The 2024 season has seen Marquez emerge as a strong contender among the independent Ducati riders, regularly challenging the established factory team members.

Gresini Racing, a satellite team in the Ducati camp, has a long history in MotoGP. Founded by the late Fausto Gresini, the team has provided a platform for numerous talented riders, including Marco Melandri, Toni Elias, and Enea Bastianini. The team’s close collaboration with Ducati ensures access to competitive machinery and technical support.

Looking Ahead: Valencia Grand Prix and 2025 Season

The Valencia Grand Prix marks the final round of the 2024 MotoGP season. While the World Championship title has already been secured by Francesco Bagnaia, the race provides an opportunity for riders and teams to evaluate new components and solidify their preparations for the upcoming season.

For Alex Marquez, the Valencia weekend presents a chance to contribute to Ducati’s development program and potentially secure a strong result in his final race aboard the GP24 specification machine. The outcome of the aero testing program will have implications not only for the remainder of the Valencia Grand Prix but also for the future direction of Ducati’s MotoGP efforts.

MotoGP Aero Development: A Constant Evolution

Aerodynamic development has become increasingly critical in modern MotoGP. Manufacturers invest significant resources in wind tunnel testing and on-track evaluation to optimize the aerodynamic performance of their motorcycles. Fairings, wings, and other aero devices are designed to manipulate airflow, generating downforce to improve grip and stability.

The ongoing quest for aerodynamic advantage has led to a continuous evolution of designs, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of innovation within the technical regulations. The effectiveness of aerodynamic components is highly dependent on track conditions, rider style, and specific motorcycle characteristics, making on-track testing an essential part of the development process.

Broader Implications for MotoGP Technology

The aero testing conducted by Alex Marquez at Valencia underscores the relentless pursuit of technological advancement in MotoGP. The data and insights gained from these tests will inform the design and development of future MotoGP machines, potentially influencing the aerodynamic strategies adopted by other manufacturers.

As MotoGP continues to evolve, aerodynamic innovation is expected to remain a key area of focus, driving manufacturers to explore new and creative solutions to enhance performance and competitiveness. The Valencia test serves as a reminder of the crucial role that technology plays in shaping the outcome of MotoGP races and championships.