Marc Marquez made history at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand by becoming the first rider to secure a victory on his Ducati Grand Prix debut since Casey Stoner in 2007. The six-time MotoGP World Champion demonstrated tactical brilliance in a high-stakes race that set the tone for his championship campaign. While the results show a dominant win, the race was packed with strategic manoeuvres and intense battles that defined the season opener.
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Marquez Seizes Early Control But Faces Unexpected Setback
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) took the holeshot from the start, mirroring his performance in Saturday’s Sprint race. His younger brother, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), slotted into second, while Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) held P3. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) briefly surged into the top three before being shuffled back into the pack. However, Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) intense opening laps ended abruptly with a crash at Turn 1 on Lap 4.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! @marcmarquez93 SLOWS DOWN AND LOSES THE LEAD 🚨#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/fUnyJB9l7B
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 2, 2025
Though the race seemed to follow the Sprint’s pattern, MotoGP’s unpredictability quickly surfaced. On Lap 7, Marc Marquez unexpectedly slowed down at Turn 3, allowing his brother to overtake him. Speculation swirled over whether this move was due to tyre pressure management, fuel conservation, or strategic positioning. Regardless, it set the stage for an intense showdown between the Marquez siblings.
Mid-Race Action: Fierce Battles and Unfortunate Exits
Further down the order, an exciting contest for sixth place unfolded between Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), and Joan Mir (HRC Honda Castrol). Unfortunately for Mir, his hopes for a strong finish evaporated when he lost the front at Turn 12 on Lap 16, ending his race prematurely.
At the front, Marc Marquez remained in striking distance of his brother, with Bagnaia lurking just a second behind. As the race progressed, Bagnaia momentarily looked poised to challenge the Marquez duo but ultimately settled into a secure third position, staying ahead of Franco Morbidelli (#21).
Marquez Executes Decisive Move to Clinch Victory
The defining moment arrived on Lap 23 when Marc Marquez pounced at Turn 12, overtaking Alex Marquez to reclaim the lead. From that moment onward, he maintained complete control. The veteran champion managed his race precisely, securing his first Grand Prix victory in Ducati colours. This triumph marked his 112th career podium, equaling Dani Pedrosa’s record in the all-time standings.
As the race neared its conclusion, Bagnaia closed in on Alex Marquez but could not mount a serious challenge. The top three riders from Saturday’s Sprint race reaffirmed their dominance with an identical finishing order in Sunday’s Grand.
That's one proud father right there 👌#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/IYKk5yn97Y
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 2, 2025
Prix. Morbidelli claimed fourth, while rookie Ai Ogura was impressed with a fifth-place finish, becoming the highest-placed rookie in a Grand Prix since Marc Marquez in 2013. Additionally, his result marked the best performance by a Japanese rider since Takaaki Nakagami’s P5 at the 2021 Styrian GP.
Impressive Performances and Strong Comebacks
Marco Bezzecchi finished in sixth place, fending off a late charge from Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), who had already improved upon Honda’s 2024 performance at this circuit. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a quiet but solid run to P8, followed by Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), who overcame a challenging pre-season to secure P9. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) snatched P10, just ahead of Jack Miller, who was the team’s highest-placed Yamaha rider in his first full Grand Prix.
Further down the order, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) led a tight pack that included rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Quartararo, the 2021 World Champion, endured a disastrous start, plummeting to 18th on the opening lap and struggling to recover. Thai rider Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) finished in 18th, missing out on points by just five seconds in his home Grand Prix debut.
A Statement Win for Marquez and Ducati
Marc Marquez’s strategic masterclass in Buriram reinforced his title ambitions and sent a powerful message to his rivals. His seamless adaptation to Ducati machinery, racecraft, and experience make him a formidable contender for the 2025 MotoGP season. With a perfect start to his campaign, all eyes will be on Marquez as he continues his quest for a seventh premier class title.
