Pecco Bagnaia has issued a clear message to Marc Marquez, advising him to avoid psychological tactics when they become teammates at Ducati in 2025.
Marquez’s move to Ducati’s official team alongside Bagnaia has already caused significant shifts. With Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi, and the Pramac team seeking opportunities elsewhere.
This pairing brings together two of MotoGP’s most talented riders, potentially setting the stage for intense competition within Ducati’s factory team.
When asked about his thoughts on having Marquez as a teammate, Bagnaia told TNT Sports, “I will start thinking about it next year. We know his talent. But he’s no different to Martin who is also fast. It will be important to work well, with the same atmosphere in the box. On track it’s different – you have to fight with your teammate.”
Addressing the potential for Marquez’s psychological games, Bagnaia remained unfazed: “Honestly, not much. My strong point is the mental side. Mental games are useless with me.”
TNT Sports’ Michael Laverty noted the importance of maintaining composure against Marquez: “Everyone knows that you can’t let Marc get under your skin. He’s the man in the garage. Pecco will want to establish his dominance when Marc arrives. You think Pecco is quiet but he’s aggressive too.”
Currently, Bagnaia leads the MotoGP championship and heads into the next round at Silverstone with a 10-point advantage over second-placed Martin and a 56-point lead over third-placed Marquez. Despite his success, Bagnaia acknowledges the increasing difficulty of the competition: “It’s the highest level we’ve ever had. We are six or seven tenths faster at every track. Martin is in great shape, Marc is doing a good job. Acosta, Vinales, many riders in the second half of the championship with their contracts signed are more free to ride.”
Notably, Jorge Martin, a key contender for the championship, will no longer be with Ducati next year as he moves to Aprilia. This shift could potentially see him challenge Bagnaia for the top spot with a rival manufacturer.
Bagnaia commented on Martin’s upcoming move: “Jorge is a very strong rider. His braking points are fantastic. Next year, with Aprilia, he will be good because his riding style suits their bike perfectly. He will try everything to steal my #1.”
As the current back-to-back champion, Bagnaia remains focused and prepared for the challenges ahead. TNT Sports’ Sylvain Guintoli described him as a “silent assassin,” noting his calm and composed demeanor, especially during intense races. The anticipated rivalry between Bagnaia and Marquez next year promises to be thrilling: “We’ll see how Pecco reacts when Marquez beats him, and vice versa.”
