This Monday, January 20, which Ducati had reserved to present its GP25, will have been marked by another event much more significant for motor sports fans. The photos of Lewis Hamilton posing proudly in front of Enzo Ferrari's house in Maranello are the highly anticipated first images of the Briton in the colours of the Scuderia.
The two photos released jointly by the rider and the team set social media ablaze, making us forget that just over 200 kilometres to the north, two other world champions were also making their comebacks. Marc Marquez, who made the other transfer of the century by joining the Ducati factory team, donned his new team's suit to pose in front of the crackling cameras of the photographers present in Madonna di Campiglio, the winter sports resort in northern Italy where Ducati has made a habit of presenting its bike.
Bagnaia too nice?
Among the Reds, the native of Cervera joins Francesco Bagnaia, twice crowned in the premier two-wheel category, but stripped of his title last November by Jorge Martin, a member of Pramac, Ducati's satellite team. For the first time since 2022, the bike bearing the number 1 will not be red. Pecco Bagnaia is setting out to regain his crown, but will have more of an opponent than a teammate in the neighboring garage. Accustomed over the last two years to being supported by Enea Bastianini, a partner who respects the hierarchy, the Italian is preparing to rub shoulders with Marc Marquez, who has come to seek a seventh title in the category, regardless of the manner
Sometimes accused of lacking vice in his battles on the track, Francis Bagnaia assures that he will not change his way of being and driving to win. “Given my results, it would be better for me not to change my way of being. I just have to improve and go to another level. I think it will be a very exciting season with a new bike and a new teammate. We have to be very focused to understand the bike as quickly as possible from the first days of testing. We have to be ready for the first race.”
Despite losing the title to Jorge Martin, the official Ducati rider believes he made a "exceptional season" which pushes him to remain the pilot that he is. “It’s hard to be sad after what I did last year. Of course, finishing second in the championship having been the fastest is a shame. I won more races than all the other drivers combined (11 against 10 for the others, editor’s note). It was an exceptional season, but I have to learn from my mistakes, improve in situations where we made small mistakes as a team. It’s easier to learn not to crash than to learn to win. It will be a long process, but I learned from my mistakes.”

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia will defend the Ducati colours this season. @Red Bull Content Pool.
A duel of very different profiles
With Jorge Martin leaving for Aprilia, Francesco Bagnaia finds himself with only one main rival for the title: his teammate Marc Marquez. The former Honda star's successful first season on a 2023 Ducati at Gresini is enough to give Bagnaia the cold sweats. However, the Italian does not intend to adapt to the style of his new garage neighbour, who is accustomed to aggressive riding and muscular overtaking.
"I let Marc (Marquez) not be a gentleman, I am a gentleman and I always have been and I will never change." says Bagnaia with a smile on the sidelines of the presentation of the Ducati GP25. “It’s very exciting to team up with Marc, we are the best team on the grid. I have to take advantage of that and I’m sure I can learn from Marc. I think he will adapt very quickly to the team. We will work together during the first months of the year to develop the bike before the first race. I am convinced that we will be able to show our potential by finishing first and second. Whoever wins, wins, but the potential is there.” It remains to be seen on the track during the Sepang tests (Malaysia, February 5-7).
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