What to look out for in the 2025 MotoGP season
23 October 2024The 2025 MotoGP season is set to be one of the most exhilarating in recent memory. Changes are afoot across the championship, with riders, teams and technical directors all making big moves.
This, combined with some crucial calendar changes including a new date for the British Grand Prix, makes it a tantalising prospect with a shake-up in the order as a very real possibility.
Calendar changes
There are several key calendar changes in place for 2025 in what is set to be a 22-round season. The Thai Grand Prix will host the season-opener for the first time to begin the year with four flyaway events.
In May comes the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, earlier in the season than it has been in recent years, held between 23-25 May. Aragon will also be earlier than usual, being held in June.
READ MORE: MotoGP will kick off Silverstone’s trifecta of major events in 2025
There are two key changes on either side of the summer break – the Czech Grand Prix at Brno returns in July, while the Hungarian Grand Prix at new venue Balaton Park – whose architect for the motorcycle racing layout is the great Loris Capirossi – will add an extra element to the action.
Rounding out the year will be an Iberian double-header, with the Portuguese Grand Prix now being the penultimate round of the season before the traditional finale at Valencia.
Big rider moves
The biggest move over the silly season was Marc Marquez joining the factory Ducati team in place of Enea Bastianini, who has swapped over to a Tech3 KTM. Marquez’s strong results in the second half of the season on a year-old bike were reminiscent of the six-time champ’s form of old and he will be looking to land his first crown since 2019.
Another intriguing move is that of 2023 and ’24 title contender Jorge Martin, who swaps from a Pramac Ducati over to the factory Aprilia outfit which showed promise at times over the past two seasons – including Aleix Espargaró’s British GP victory in 2023 – where he will be joined by Marco Bezzecchi.
KTM has a strong line-up in addition to Bastianini, with Maverick Vinales joining the Italian rider at Tech3, while the factory team will comprise mainstay Brad Binder and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta with a new man at the helm – Aki Ajo.
READ MORE: Rise of the rookie
After title runs in 2023 and ’24, Pramac Racing switches from Ducati to Yamaha and will run with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira as they begin their new journey.
There will be three new riders on the grid, with Moto2 frontrunner Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Racing Aprilia), Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing Ducati) and Somkiat Chantra (LCR Honda) all set for their debuts.
Technical changes
There have been some core changes among the teams which will add an extra element that develops throughout the season. Former KTM Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini switches to Aprilia, replacing Honda-bound Romano Albesiano. After a miserable few years since their last title in 2019, Honda continues to try to turn around its fortunes.
Another Japanese team looking to return to winning ways – Yamaha – will have Max Bartolini fronting its efforts but their plan is more long-term with a 2026 target for returning to the top step.
While Ducati has been the bike at the front for the last couple of seasons, these changes could make it possible for some teams to challenge the marque more regularly, especially with the rider overhaul meaning that there will be plenty of points to prove.
