P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Regular Ducati MotoGP test rider and stand-in Michele Pirro will take injured world champion Marc Marquez’s place in next weekend’s Australian GP – but its left the door open to a different substitute for the Malaysian GP
Ducati has announced that Michele Pirro will replace injured 2025 world champion Marc Marquez at the Australian Grand Prix next weekend. However, the team left the possibility open for a different substitute for the Malaysian GP the following week. Ducati emphasized that Marquez will be out for both Phillip Island and Sepang due to his collarbone injury sustained in the Mandalika race. It’s speculated that World Superbike Championship contender Nicolo Bulega could potentially replace Marquez for the Sepang race, as he has an official Ducati MotoGP role for 2026 and Pirelli experience from WSBK. Bulega, a former Moto3 standout, has revived his career in WSBK and is currently in a close title fight with Toprak Razgatlioglu. Ducati’s choice of substitutes for Marquez’s absence could impact their future MotoGP options.
