Thailand GP 2025 Preview: New Season, New Faces, Same Fierce MotoGP Action

Location: Buriram, Thailand – Chang International Circuit (Round 1 of 22) Weekend Schedule: MotoGP Sprint on Saturday, Main Race on Sunday (14:00 local) Weather: Hot and humid (~34°C), high chance of thunderstorms late afternoon.

The long winter wait is over – the 2025 MotoGP season launches this weekend at the Grand Prix of Thailand, and it promises a sensational opener. This is the first time Thailand hosts the season opener, adding extra buzz among the passionate Thai fans packing the grandstands autosport.com . Buriram’s Chang International Circuit, with its mix of long straights and tight hairpins, will provide a stern test of the new bikes and rider-team combinations that have everyone talking.

Track Characteristics and Challenges

The 4.6 km Chang Circuit is known for two things: blistering top speeds and oppressive tropical conditions. The layout features a dragstrip-like 1km front straight into Turn 3, meaning bikes will easily exceed 330 km/h before braking – a section tailor-made for Ducati’s horsepower. But immediately after comes a series of slow corners (Turns 3, 5, 12) where traction and balance are key. Engineers face a setup dilemma: chase top speed or optimize for stability in the tight turns. Expect different manufacturers to play to their strengths – Ducatis and KTMs unleashing power on the straight, while Yamahas and Aprilias bank on cornering agility to make up time in sectors 2 and 3.

Tire management will be critical, especially given the searing heat and humidity of Buriram. Afternoon track temperatures can soar above 50°C, pushing the Michelin rear tires to their limits. Riders will be mindful of tire drop-off in the latter half of the main race. We may see some choose the hard rear compound to ensure grip until the end, though that could compromise early pace. The possibility of sudden rainstorms in late afternoon also looms – a tropical downpour could turn the race into a flag-to-flag gamble. Teams will be keeping one eye on the sky.

Márquez’s Ducati Debut and Key Storylines

All eyes are on Marc Márquez as he rolls out in Ducati red for the first time in competition. The six-time premier class champ stunned the paddock by switching to Ducati, and now the moment of truth arrives: can Marc tame the Desmosedici right away? If his testing times were any indication, the answer leans yes – Márquez was reportedly very fast in Malaysia and Qatar tests, immediately feeling the bike’s strengths. In Thailand, a track with heavy braking (Marc’s forte) and long corners, many expect Márquez to be vying for victory from the get-go. His own expectations? “I’m here to win, that’s the goal,” he stated plainly in Thursday’s press conference, flashing a confident grin.

Meanwhile, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia starts his title quest determined to reassert himself as Ducati’s #1. Bagnaia won here in 2018 (Moto2) and finished on the podium in the last Thai GP, showing affinity for the track. He acknowledged having Márquez as a teammate is “motivation to push even harder.” It will be fascinating to see how Ducati’s dynamic plays out if both riders find themselves elbow-to-elbow in the race.

Jorge Martín, the reigning world champion, faces a very different opener: he’s on the Aprilia RS-GP now. Martín has admitted the Aprilia requires a distinct riding style – its cornering is strong but it lacks some top-end speed relative to the Ducati. That could hurt on Buriram’s long straights. In the sprint and race, Martín might need to get crafty in the tighter sections to battle with the Ducatis. A top-5 finish would be a solid start as he and Aprilia continue to gel. Keep an eye also on Marco Bezzecchi, Martín’s new teammate, who often adapts quickly and was fast in pre-season; Bez could be a dark horse this weekend if Aprilia’s seamless handling lets him conserve tires better than the others.

This race also marks the MotoGP debut for three rookies: Fermín Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati), Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia), and Somkiat Chantra (LCR Honda). Chantra in particular will have massive local support – he is the first Thai rider in MotoGP history to start his home GP in the premier class. The 24-year-old, a former Moto2 race winner, has downplayed expectations (“I just want to finish and learn”), but a points finish in the sprint or main race would send the crowd into rapture. Aldeguer and Ogura, both just 19, impressed in testing; how they handle the pressure and unpredictable nature of MotoGP race starts will be a storyline to watch.

Contenders and Predictions

On paper, Ducati riders are favored in Thailand. The Ducati has historically excelled at this circuit – in the last Thai GP held (2019), Ducati power helped its riders hit the front. Expect Bagnaia, Márquez, and even satellite Ducati riders like Álex Márquez (Gresini) and Johann Zarco (now on an LCR Honda, but formerly a Ducati rider with deep setup knowledge) to shine. Álex Márquez quietly had a strong preseason and knows the Buriram podium from Moto2 days.

However, the weather and sprint format could throw curveballs. In the shorter Sprint race on Saturday (12 laps), a rider can afford to push 100% without worrying about tire fade. Someone like Brad Binder (KTM) or Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) could capitalize in a sprint – Binder is renowned for late braking heroics (useful into Turn 3) and Miller has the kind of aggression that suits the sprint distance. Don’t be surprised if one of them snags a Sprint podium or even victory if the Ducati frontrunners falter or tussle amongst themselves.

Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo will be eager to prove that the Yamaha YZR-M1’s off-season gains are real. Quartararo showed decent long-run pace in testing, and while Buriram’s layout isn’t ideal for Yamaha (with its emphasis on horsepower), Fabio’s corner speed and smooth style might keep him in the hunt, especially if he nails a good qualifying. A top-5 would be a confidence booster for him. His new teammate Alex Rins is still adapting to Yamaha, so this might be more of a learning weekend for Rins.

Aprilia’s race pace remains a bit of a mystery – on one hand, the RS-GP was known for good tire life which could be an asset on Sunday. On the other, as mentioned, its lack of grunt might hinder starts and passing on the straight. Still, Aleix Espargaró won the last MotoGP race held in similar sweltering conditions (Malaysia 2024), showing Aprilia can manage heat. With Aleix now retired, it’s up to Martín and Bezzecchi to uphold Aprilia’s honor. If they can stay close in the sprint, the longer race might come towards them if others run into tire trouble.

Honda arrives somewhat on the back foot – this is their first race in the post-Márquez era. Joan Mir leads the charge on the Repsol Honda and has been candid that the bike is “still difficult.” Mir’s aim will likely be simply to finish in the top 10 and gather data. LCR’s Johann Zarco, however, could spring a surprise; Zarco has a knack for performing in tricky conditions and topped a wet practice session here in the past. If rain falls, his experience could see the lone Honda sneak up the order.

Key Points to Watch

Turn 1 & Turn 3 on Lap 1: A season’s first turn is always nervy. Turn 1 at Buriram is fast and funnel-like, while Turn 3 is a tight right where many past incidents occurred. With everyone eager to assert themselves, we could see bold overtakes – or costly errors. Veterans like Márquez, Miller, and Zarco will try to capitalize on any rookie hesitations here.

Top Speed Battles: We might witness some eye-watering top speeds down the front straight. In 2019, bikes hit ~330 km/h; the 2025 Ducati could break the speed trap record in Thailand. Watch for Bagnaia vs. Márquez slipstream duels – teammates they may be, but neither will lift off the throttle.

Physical Conditioning: The first race in brutal heat often catches riders out. Watch for anyone fading in the last 5 laps on Sunday. Hydration and fitness are at a premium; a rider like Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati), who has trained extensively in hot climates, could gain positions late in the race if others exhaust themselves.

Sprints Set the Tone: Saturday’s 12-lap Sprint will be our first real glimpse of 2025 competitiveness. It awards 12 points for the win down to 1 point for 9th – not huge, but significant over a long season. A rider who excels in the sprint will carry momentum (and data) into Sunday. Conversely, a crash or problem in the sprint could leave a rider on the back foot (or injured) for the main race. Teams will need to balance risk vs reward.

As engines fire up at Buriram, the excitement among fans and teams alike is sky-high. A new season always brings unpredictability, and with the major rider moves and technical changes, this Thai GP opener feels especially unpredictable. One thing is certain: by Sunday afternoon we’ll have our first answers about whether the pre-season hype around Ducati and Márquez translates to on-track dominance, or if rivals can immediately give them a run for their money.

Prediction Podium (Main Race): 1. Marc Márquez (Ducati) – delivers on debut after a fierce duel with Bagnaia; 2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) – pushes his teammate to the limit; 3. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) – takes advantage of a late tire fade for others to snag a podium, proving Aprilia’s potential. But in MotoGP, especially under Buriram’s unpredictable skies, anything can happen. Get ready to enjoy the 2025 curtain raiser – MotoGP is back, and it’s about to get hot in Thailand, on and off the track!

MotoGP 2025 Thai GP – Did You Know?

The last MotoGP race held in Thailand (2019) saw Marc Márquez win a last-lap thriller to clinch the championship. This year, he’s on a different bike, but the Thai fans remember that showdown well.

Local hero Somkiat Chantra won the Moto2 race at Buriram in 2022. His step up to MotoGP means Thailand now has representation in the premier class – expect thunderous cheers whenever Chantra passes a rival.