The 2025 MotoGP season promises to be one of the most exciting ever, with potential shifts in rider lineups that could redefine the competitive landscape. Based on the latest insights and speculations, here is an estimate from Motorcycle Sports on what to expect from the 2025 lineup.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Team: Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins take the helm
Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are expected to lead Yamaha’s charge in 2025. Quartararo, already a world champion, will continue to spearhead the team with his consistent performance. Rins, having previously ridden for Suzuki and Honda, is set to remain alongside the Frenchman, bringing his extensive experience.
Pros:
- Strong leadership: Quartararo’s proven track record and experience make him an invaluable asset.
- Versatility: Rins’ ability to quickly adapt to new bikes and conditions could give Yamaha a competitive edge.
Cons:
- Pressure to perform: Both riders will need to consistently deliver top performances to help Yamaha regain its competitive edge.
Repsol Honda Team: A new season for Joan Mir and Luca Marini
Joan Mir and Luca Marini are expected to stay with Repsol Honda. Mir’s contract ends this year, but strong rumors suggest an imminent renewal. Marini, who joined from VR46 Racing Team, has a contract through 2025. Both riders will need to help Honda return to its former glory.
Pros:
- Champion’s pedigree: Mir’s experience as a world champion is a competitive advantage.
Cons:
- High expectations: Despite a less favorable phase in its history, Honda is still Honda, and the pressure to recover is intense.
Ducati Leonovo Team: Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez’s Dream Team
There’s no doubt here. Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez, both signed until 2026, represent a formidable duo for Ducati. Bagnaia’s current form and Márquez’s stellar status, performance, and track record make this pairing one of the most impressive in MotoGP history.
Pros:
- Unmatched talent: Both riders have multiple world titles, bringing unparalleled skill and experience.
- Strategic depth: With two riders fully capable of fighting for victories, Ducati theoretically has an advantage over the competition.
Cons:
- Managing egos: Balancing two superstar riders could be challenging.
Aprilia Racing: Extreme makeover with Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi will lead the Aprilia team, forming another officially confirmed duo. Martín’s aggressive style and Bezzecchi’s consistency are valuable assets for Aprilia, which aims to finally compete for titles.
Pros:
- Dynamic duo: The combination of Martín’s aggressiveness and Bezzecchi’s consistency provides a balance for Aprilia.
- Growth Potential: Both riders are young and promise to continue developing over time.
Cons:
- Adaptation period: Integrating both riders into the team and optimizing the bike’s setup may take time, especially with neither having previous experience with Aprilia.
LCR Honda: Johann Zarco and a Japanese rising star
Johann Zarco is under contract for 2025, and we project that a Japanese rider will be on the other side of the LCR Honda garage. Combining Zarco’s experience with the potential of a local talent is crucial for Honda (possibly continuing with Takaaki Nakagami or promoting a Moto2 youngster like Ai Ogura).
Pros:
- Veteran perspective: Zarco’s extensive experience in MotoGP is valuable for any team and manufacturer.
- Local talent: Having a Japanese rider, whether Nakagami or not, is an important asset for marketing and support in Japan.
Cons:
- Unknown quality: If Ogura is the choice for LCR Honda, he will come with the uncertainties inherent to a rookie.
Prima Pramac Racing/Yamaha: Duo with Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira
Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira might find refuge in Prima Pramac Racing, the new satellite team for Yamaha. Both bring experience from competitive manufacturers like Aprilia and KTM and are recognized for their potential to fight for podiums and victories, given the machinery allows.
Pros:
- Aggressive strategy: With Miller (who has previously been with the team) and Oliveira, Pramac would have two highly experienced riders as it starts its chapter with Yamaha.
- Experience: Both riders bring significant MotoGP experience.
Cons:
- Team dynamics: Ensuring both riders integrate well with the team could be a challenge.
Gresini Racing MotoGP/Ducati: Álex Márquez and Fermín Aldeguer’s ambitious pairing
Álex Márquez’s renewal with Gresini is almost certain in the international press. His partner could be the rookie Fermín Aldeguer, who already has a contract with Ducati for 2025 and just needs to be placed in a satellite team. This partnership combines Álex Márquez’s experience with Aldeguer’s future potential.
Pros:
- Balanced team: The combination of Álex Márquez’s experience and Aldeguer’s youth could be advantageous, with a rider with five years in the premier class showing the way to a rookie.
- High potential: Aldeguer’s growth potential is significant.
Cons:
- Pressure to perform: Álex Márquez will need to consistently deliver performances to guide the young Aldeguer.
- Rookie ucertainties: Aldeguer is an inexperienced rookie and carries all the doubts associated with it.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta’s dynamic duo
Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta are set to compete for Red Bull KTM. This pairing will bring the aggressiveness of both riders, Binder’s experience, and the high potential Acosta is showing.
Pros:
- Aggressiveness: Both riders have combative and aggressive, yet clean, riding styles, essential in a highly balanced grid.
- Potential for the future: Acosta’s development could make him a future star.
Cons:
- Consistency: Ensuring both riders can deliver consistent high-level performances might be a challenge. In fact, finding consistent performances seems to be what KTM needs to compete for titles in MotoGP.
Red Bull Tech3 KTM: Strategic alliance of Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini
Tech3 will compete again under the KTM identity and will have the strongest rider duo in its history with Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales. Their combined experience from different manufacturers and their unquestionable quality promise to boost the team and KTM.
Pros:
- Experienced pairing: Both riders bring extensive MotoGP experience, particularly Viñales, who will have ridden for all current manufacturers except Honda.
Cons:
- Integration period: As new riders to the team and manufacturer, adaptation could be a lengthy process, but they will have KTM and Binder’s guidance for support.
Trackhouse Racing/Aprilia: Continuity with Raúl Fernández and a «fresh breathe» with Joe Roberts
Raúl Fernández is expected to stay with Trackhouse Racing, with increasingly insistent rumors about Joe Roberts joining. The team promises to bring excitement to the grid in its second season of activity.
Pros:
- Young talent: Both riders are young and eager to prove they deserve to be in MotoGP.
- Continuity: If Fernández stays, he could be the only man with Aprilia experience in 2025, which would be a significant advantage for both Aprilia and Trackhouse.
Cons:
- Lack of experience: Lack of experience in MotoGP could be a factor: Fernández only has three seasons and has yet to fight for top positions, while Roberts is a rookie who has yet to ride a bike in the premier class.
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team/Ducati: Homecoming for Franco Morbidelli and continuity for Fabio Di Giannantonio
Fabio Di Giannantonio seems well-positioned to continue with VR46 for a second year. On the other side of the garage could be Franco Morbidelli, whose continuity with Pramac seems unlikely with Yamaha’s arrival. The Italian would return to the VR46 structure where he spent several years.
Pros:
- Balanced approach: Di Giannantonio’s youth and Morbidelli’s experience provide a good balance.
- Italian project: The team’s Italian roots can offer a supportive environment, described by the riders as a family-like structure.
Cons:
- Performance consistency: Both riders need to deliver consistent performances, facing some pressure to prove they deserve to be in the premier class given their respective trajectories to date.
Exciting prospects for MotoGP in 2025
The 2025 rider lineup could feature many new faces compared to this year, bringing added excitement and anticipation. New talents like Aldeguer and Roberts are expected, along with proven riders in new teams and manufacturers. The coming weeks should be full of announcements and confirmations, making this an interesting period to follow, even off the track.
