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At the recent Misano testing event, Marc Marquez demonstrated remarkable consistency by clocking the same lap times on both the 2024 and 2025 Ducati prototypes, achieving this through modifications in his riding technique. This performance casts further doubt on the prevailing theory that factory rider Francesco Bagnaia's struggles with the GP25 are due to inherent flaws in the new model. Ducati's sporting director, Mauro Grassilli, had previously indicated that the differences between the GP24 and GP25 are minimal, primarily focusing on engine longevity rather than outright speed. Meanwhile, Bagnaia himself reported making progress during the test, focusing on setup adjustments to improve his competitiveness, particularly in race pace.

Marquez's ability to extract peak performance from both Ducati setups by altering his riding style suggests that the performance gap between the two versions is negligible. While he noted that one package offered superior cornering speed and the other enhanced braking stability, the ultimate outcome in terms of lap time remained consistent. This highlights the importance of rider adaptation and fine-tuning over significant mechanical disparities. Ducati management's growing impatience with Bagnaia's issues further underscores the idea that the problem may lie more with the rider's integration with the bike than with the machine itself.

Marquez's Adaptability Highlights Ducati's Consistent Performance

Marc Marquez demonstrated impressive flexibility during the Misano tests, achieving identical lap times using both the 2024 and 2025 Ducati aerodynamic packages. This outcome was not due to inherent superiority of one design over the other, but rather Marquez's skillful adjustments to his riding style to suit each configuration. He observed that one iteration provided better cornering speed, while the other offered enhanced braking stability. This remarkable consistency in performance, regardless of the aero package, underscores his exceptional talent and ability to adapt to different machine characteristics. His results challenge previous assumptions that the newer GP25 might be fundamentally more difficult to handle, suggesting that the core performance remains largely similar across both models.

Marquez's findings resonate with earlier statements from Ducati sporting director Mauro Grassilli, who emphasized that the 2024 and 2025 bikes share largely the same fundamental design. Grassilli clarified that any minor modifications introduced in the GP25 primarily target improvements in engine reliability and durability, rather than a significant boost in performance. This revelation by Marquez, combined with Ducati's official stance, indicates that the differences between the two-year models are not substantial enough to create a decisive performance advantage. The focus, therefore, shifts from the machinery to the rider's capacity to maximize its potential, making Marquez's achievement a significant talking point in the MotoGP paddock.

Bagnaia's GP25 Struggles Under Scrutiny

Francesco Bagnaia's ongoing difficulties with the GP25 continue to draw attention, especially in light of Marc Marquez's recent performance at the Misano test. While Marquez proved capable of achieving top lap times on both the 2024 and 2025 Ducati setups, Bagnaia found himself significantly slower, ranking eighth overall and trailing Marquez by less than a tenth of a second. This disparity fuels speculation that Bagnaia's struggles are less about the bike's design and more about his personal adaptation or setup challenges. Ducati's general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, even expressed his growing frustration with Bagnaia's situation, suggesting that patience is wearing thin.

Despite the mounting pressure, Bagnaia remains committed to finding solutions. He revealed that his efforts during the Misano test focused on experimenting with weight distribution and various setup adjustments to better understand the bike's behavior. Encouragingly, he reported making progress, particularly in improving his race pace, where he recorded his best lap time with a significant number of laps on his tires. This suggests that while his outright single-lap speed might still be a work in progress, he is gradually uncovering ways to optimize his performance on the GP25. The challenge for Bagnaia now is to translate these testing insights into consistent race-day results and overcome the perception that the newer machine is uniquely problematic for him.

Mastering the Rules of the Race: Understanding F1's Driving Standards

The Core Philosophy: Guidelines, Not Regulations

It's crucial to understand that Formula 1's Driving Standards Guidelines are precisely that: guidelines, not strict rules. This inherent flexibility allows for interpretation in the dynamic environment of racing, where every incident presents unique circumstances. The document, spanning five pages of text and diagrams, aims to provide a framework rather than an exhaustive list of every conceivable scenario and its predetermined outcome.

Defining Acceptable Conduct: Overtaking and Track Limits

The guidelines establish critical principles, such as when a driver is entitled to 'racing room' during an overtake, both on the inside and outside of a corner. They also delineate proper racing etiquette, covering aspects like impeding other cars, erratic driving, and appropriate positioning behind the safety car. Finer points, such as a car's movement on a straight or under braking, are also addressed, noting that such actions may be permissible depending on variables like relative speeds and track position. Additionally, the guidelines define track limits and the protocol for rejoining the track after an excursion, emphasizing that drivers should not gain an advantage by leaving the racing surface.

Evolution of the Guidelines: Responding to On-Track Incidents

The FIA introduced these guidelines before the 2022 season, collaborating with the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). Since then, they have undergone several modifications. The most recent revision, Version 4.1, was prompted by contentious incidents in late 2024. Notable cases included George Russell's penalty for forcing Valtteri Bottas off track at the US Grand Prix, and high-profile clashes between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in the US and Mexico City Grands Prix. These incidents propelled driving standards to the forefront of discussion, leading to a meeting between the FIA and GPDA to refine and clarify the guidelines' language. A significant change involved revamping the stipulation that previously granted a driver 'ownership' of a corner if their front axle was ahead at the apex, which was deemed too exploitable.

Key Revisions in Overtaking Regulations

Although the guidelines acknowledge an element of subjectivity, their core purpose is to define when an overtaking car is granted 'priority' and therefore space to complete a maneuver. They explicitly state that once these conditions are met, the defending driver is responsible for preventing a collision. The updated wording differentiates between inside and outside overtakes. For an inside pass, the attacking car's front axle must be at least alongside the other car's mirror before and at the apex, maintaining full control throughout the maneuver without 'diving in.' The overtaking driver must also adhere to a reasonable racing line and complete the move within track limits. The previous requirement for the overtaking driver to leave space at the exit, which led to Russell's penalty in Austin, was removed as drivers argued it was overly restrictive. A prime example of the new rules in action was Max Verstappen's penalty in Saudi Arabia, where Oscar Piastri, making an inside move, was deemed to have met the criteria, making the corner his. Verstappen's subsequent rejoining of the track in the lead, without giving the position back, was penalized as gaining a 'lasting advantage.'

Navigating Outside Overtakes and Complex Corners

The guidelines explicitly recognize that overtaking on the outside is a more challenging maneuver. For a successful outside pass, the attacking car's front axle must be ahead of the defending car's front axle at the apex, and the car must be controlled from entry to exit, remaining within track limits. A recent illustration involved Oliver Bearman receiving a penalty at the Italian Grand Prix for colliding with Carlos Sainz during an attempted outside pass. According to the guidelines, Sainz had fulfilled the conditions, placing the onus on Bearman to avoid contact. In chicanes and S-bends, the guidelines for inside and outside overtakes apply to each element of the complex, with priority generally given to the first corner element.

Factors Influencing Steward Decisions: Beyond the Rulebook

The guidelines emphasize that stewards will always consider the entirety of an incident, recognizing that racing is a dynamic process. They provide examples of circumstances and variables that must be taken into account, such as tire age, compound choice, and available grip. Additionally, the configuration of the corner and the drivers' approach to the incident are crucial considerations. For instance, Williams's review request for Carlos Sainz's penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix was eventually successful, but only because Liam Lawson's momentary oversteer caused the contact. The stewards' initial decision maintained that Sainz had not met the conditions for being granted 'right to room,' highlighting the nuanced application of these guidelines.