Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
The context for the 2025 MotoGP championship was seemingly well-defined until the dramatic ninth lap of the Grand Prix of the Americas. Expectations had leaned towards Marc Marquez maintaining a competitive edge, with brother Alex likely challenging but not quite matching his pace, while Francesco Bagnaia was anticipated to trail behind. However, the race took an unexpected turn when Marc crashed, allowing Bagnaia to seize victory and Alex to secure the championship lead, proving that the narrative is still being written.
As the MotoGP series heads to the Qatar Grand Prix at Losail, a circuit where Marquez has struggled in the past, teammate Bagnaia could find himself positioned for success. Known for its smooth surface, sweeping corners, and high grip, there is potential for an unexpected podium finish from either Yamaha or Aprilia, with KTM or Honda aiming to gather essential points as well.
Here are five key aspects to monitor during the Qatar GP weekend.
The reigning champion returns to the track
Martin hasn’t ridden his MotoGP bike since the pre-season Sepang test
Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Aprilia has struggled to make a significant impact in the first three races of the season. While newcomers like Ai Ogura and Marco Bezzecchi have demonstrated commendable performances, the RS-GP has not appeared capable of challenging Ducati’s dominance. This presents a critical moment for reigning champion Jorge Martin, who aims to commence his tenure with the Aprilia team after missing the first three rounds due to a pre-season crash. Observing how the 27-year-old adapts to unfamiliar machinery while still feeling the effects of his injuries will be noteworthy.
Bagnaia eyeing title attack
Bagnaia enjoyed the spoils of victory in Texas
Photo by: MotoGP
With Marc Marquez previously favored over Bagnaia, the Italian rider is now looking to capitalize on Marquez’s struggles at this track. Despite this, Bagnaia’s performance has yet to show he can clinch a victory through sheer speed. His win in COTA relied more on Marquez’s unfortunate fall than on his own pace, creating uncertainty surrounding Bagnaia’s title challenge. This weekend could provide a turning point, but previous performances suggest caution is warranted before assuming he will consistently lead.
An unexpected championship leader
Alex Marquez comes to Doha as the surprise championship leader
Photo by: David Buono – Icon Sportswire – Getty Images
While Marc Marquez’s crash garnered attention and Bagnaia’s win was noteworthy, the emergence of Alex Marquez as the championship leader has quietly captured attention. Displaying remarkable consistency, Alex has secured second-place finishes across all races and sprints this season. Some might argue he could have won in COTA instead of Bagnaia. The question remains whether he can secure a victory based on his own speed moving forward. Despite showing potential, Alex has yet to dominate a race outright, and his ability to convert consistency into victory will be closely watched in Qatar.
Watching the Yamaha yo-yo
Quartararo mixed it with the VR46 Ducatis in America
Photo by: Media VR46
During pre-season testing, Yamaha hinted at being a formidable contender against Ducati, yet a lackluster start to the season raised concerns. However, results from COTA point towards a possible resurgence, with Jack Miller and Fabio Quartararo both making strong showings. As the Qatar GP approaches, Yamaha may have an opportunity to ascend in the manufacturer’s standings, albeit still facing challenges following their tumultuous start. It’s noteworthy that Pramac’s switch from Ducati to Yamaha could add pressure to their performance as they seek to rebound from a difficult initial phase of the season.
KTM’s make or break moment
KTM has endured an underwhelming start to 2025
Photo by: KTM Images
The battle for the bottom of the manufacturer standings sees KTM struggling significantly, seemingly contending for the title of least competitive bike. Though riders like Binder and Acosta have shown abilities to score points and qualify respectably, their performance has largely been hindered by serious tyre degradation and other issues. Following financial challenges faced by KTM’s parent company, questions arise as to whether these difficulties are contributing to their lackluster performance or if their technical strategies may need reevaluation. Nonetheless, Qatar offers a potential glimmer of hope, with Binder having had a strong showing in the previous year’s race there, making this race a critical juncture for the team moving forward.
Binder was competitive for KTM in Qatar last year
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Source
www.motorsport.com