Ducati’s decision over their e💮ngine was the key topic in pre-season MotoGP testing.

They op☂ted to stick with their 2024 engine - which dominated the championship last year - ra𒐪ther than using the 2025 version.

Marc Marquez demonstrated what the old engine 💯could do by smashing his rivals at the Thailand MotoGP.

Ducati engine decision debated

“The situation is that the 2024 bike is that good, that they didn’t manage to improve it,” TNT Sports’ Sylvaiꩲn Guintoli said.

“They turned up with a♌ 2025 engine that was tested in Sepang but the riders had reservations right away.

“They felt the bike 🅘was one step better in the acceleration phase but two steps worse in the braking.

“That comes when manufacturers change the inertia of𒅌 ▨the engine.

“They went heavier, and it makes the bike feel sweet in aওcceleration, it flows better.

“But that means more inertia so, in the braking zones, you struggle to stop the bike. I think that’s whꦬat happened.

“They tried and tried with the set💎up but when the DNA of an engine is a certain way, it’s very hard to change it.

“They decided not to take the risk, they decided the 2024 was be꧋tter.

“For us that’s great 🐬because there are more 𒁏Ducati riders with a similar package.”

Neil Hodgson said: “In the testing phase when they were slightly unsu♛re, they gave all Ducati riders the opportunity to test the ‘25 engine.

“So it wasn’t just feedback from the fac🦂tory team. Tha♈t’s the beauty of having six good riders.

“The general consensus was t🐓hat the ‘24 was better.

“If they were allowed to tweak the ‘25 they would’ve eventually found a s🍎weet spot.

“But we have got an engine freeze so you can’t change the spec of the engine. It wasn’t worth the gaﷺmble.”

Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia are now committed to using the 2024 engine for the re﷽st of the 2💝025 season.

Both factory Ducati riders admitted their preference to use the older version after trying both in pre-sea🐎son testing.

Ducati remain the team to🌠ꦓ beat ahead of the second round in Argentina next week.