P1racenews AI automatic summary:
New Ducati MotoGP factory signing Marc Marquez dominated the final pre-season test in Thailand – and heads into the season opener at the same track as a clear favourite
New Ducati MotoGP factory signing Marc Marquez showed impressive dominance in the final pre-season test in Thailand, positioning himself as the clear favorite for the upcoming season opener at the same track. Despite narrowly missing out on breaking the lap record, Marquez was the only rider to achieve times in the 1m28.855s range over the two-day test, showcasing his speed and consistency. The factory Ducati team’s decision to stick with the 2024 engine for this year and next, due to issues with the newer version in braking, raised eyebrows in the paddock. Marquez’s brother Alex also performed well, finishing just 0.179s behind him, while Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi continued to impress by setting his and the team’s best lap at a historically challenging track. Notable performances also came from Pedro Acosta and Joan Mir, showcasing competitive form and improvement ahead of the upcoming race weekend. Overall, the pre-season test highlighted strong showings from Ducati and Honda, while also showcasing promising prospects for the rookies in the MotoGP category.
