Fabio Quartararo, enemy number 1 of Ducati in 2025? Davide Tardozzi affirms it!

It was the nice surprise of the first pre-season tests in Malaysia: the return to grace of Yamaha and fabio quartararo, present at the top of the bill during the three days of testing on the Sepang circuit. An incredible progression compared to 2024 – with a best time eight tenths faster than the best time set during qualifying for the Malaysian GP, ​​last November! – which did not fail to challenge the competition. And first and foremost, Ducati.

Quarterly "main opponent" from Ducati?

If the Italian manufacturer remains the reference in the discipline, with bikes always placed at the forefront and with the best time of the tests registered by Alex Marquez at Gresini, Fabio Quartararo was the only rider to be able to play in the Ducati times at Sepang, the only non-Ducati to sign a time under the 1'57 mark. Inevitably, the return of "El Diablo" makes the Italian clan shiver, and in particular Davide Tardozzi.

"I knew [Yamaha] would progress, but I didn't think so quickly! I know Massimo Bartolini very well (technical director of Yamaha, ex-engineer at Ducati, Editor’s note), I was absolutely sure that he would allow them to take a step forward. They have a fantastic driver in Fabio Quartararo, so for now he is our main opponent.", recognizes the Team Manager of the official Ducati team.

Ducati's main public enemy: Fabio Quartararo 😈#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/cK17Tdv4Ff

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 7, 2025

Ducati on continuity from 2024

However, Ducati is not panicking about Yamaha's progress. The Desmosedici GP still seems to have the edge over the competition after the first tests in Malaysia, a form that remains to be confirmed during the next tests planned in Burinam, Thailand, a few days before the start of the season. With an ultra-dominant bike in 2024 – 19 victories in 20 Grands Prix – the Italian clan has simply made a few adjustments to its machine for 2025. “Being conservative certainly pays off. We have a very competitive bike, so for now the direction could be to stay on the 2024 engine with small updates, said the Italian leader from Sky Sports Italy. For now it is better to be conservative. The potential is high, we are convinced that we have a good bike."

ALSO READ > Yamaha and Quartararo impressed in Malaysia, but it is 'still too early' to judge their real level