The 2025 MotoGP season brought plenty of surprises for fans, but the main star was Marc Márquez. The Spaniard, who made his debut with Ducati, quickly adapted to the new team and confidently claimed the championship title. His performances were so impressive that the manufacturer released a limited edition motorcycle in his honor. Against this backdrop, Pecco Bagnaia, who had recently been considered the favorite, found himself overshadowed by his teammate and ended the year with results that fell far short of expectations.
Bagnaia’s loss of form became a topic of discussion among motorsport experts and fans. Paolo Simoncelli, father of the late Marco Simoncelli, shared a pointed opinion. According to him, Bagnaia was unprepared for pressure from Márquez, and the influence of Valentino Rossi’s circle ultimately backfired.
Reversal of roles
Just a year ago, Pecco Bagnaia was at his peak: 11 wins, a title fight to the last race, and the status of Ducati’s top hope. However, defeat in the final to Jorge Martín left a bitter aftertaste. The new season was supposed to give the Italian a chance for revenge, but things turned out differently. With Márquez joining the team, everything changed overnight. The Spaniard quickly imposed his own game plan, and Bagnaia, despite his experience and support from the team, was unable to cope with the competition.
Paolo Simoncelli believes Bagnaia underestimated the strength of his new teammate. “He wasn’t prepared for such a rival. Marc is a true predator on the track, and that threw Pecco off balance,” Simoncelli remarked. The Italian finished the season only in fifth place, trailing Marquez by more than 250 points—a gap that’s hard to explain by technical reasons alone.
The influence of his inner circle
Another factor Simoncelli believes affected Bagnaia’s result is his close ties with Valentino Rossi’s ‘clan’. Bagnaia has long been considered part of this group, and, according to Marco’s father, constant discussions within the team ended up working against Pecco. “He listened too much to opinions from those around him and ultimately underestimated Marquez,” Simoncelli is convinced.
Last season, Bagnaia was close to the title and may have thought avoiding mistakes would be enough to win. But reality proved different: a series of poor races, lost confidence, and, as a result, a disappointing finish in the final standings. Marquez, on the other hand, kept building momentum with each round and left his rivals no chance.
Comparisons and parallels
Paolo Simoncelli does not hide his admiration for Marquez, noting that his style is reminiscent of Marco’s. “Marc always fights to the end and never gives up, no matter the circumstances. If Marco were alive, their duels would have been the highlight of the championship,” he shared. Such showdowns always attract special interest in motorsport, and the current rivalry between Marquez and Bagnaia is no exception.
Still, the shadow of Valentino Rossi continues to hover over the paddock. His team remains active in the championship, and the relationship between Márquez and Rossi is still tense, even after the latter’s retirement. Past conflicts come to mind, as well as moments of sporting respect when Márquez publicly supported Rossi at MotoGP ceremonies.
Season aftermath
The 2025 season proved to be a real test for Bagnaia. Expectations were high, but finishing fifth and lagging far behind the leader speaks for itself. Questions about his mental resilience, the influence of those around him, and his ability to handle pressure have resurfaced. Márquez, on the other hand, reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest riders of our time, equaling Rossi in the number of titles.
Such stories are rare in motorsport. When one of the favorites suddenly loses form while his teammate becomes the undisputed leader, it always sparks a storm of emotions and debate. Bagnaia now has to find new ways to return to the top, while Márquez continues to write his story with Ducati.
By the way, Paolo Simoncelli is a well-known figure in the world of motorsport. His son Marco Simoncelli was one of the brightest Italian MotoGP riders, who tragically died in 2011. Paolo founded the SIC58 Squadra Corse team, which competes in the junior classes of the world championship. He plays an active role in developing young talent and often shares his insight on MotoGP events, remaining an authority for many fans and experts.
