The parallel challenges facing Ferrari and Ducati in 2025

A day earlier than Lewis Hamilton’s fanfare at Ferrari, Ducati held a particular occasion on the Italian ski resort Madonna di Campiglio in which it unveiled its latest acquisition Marc Marquez.

There are undoubtable parallels between the six-time MotoGP world champion and the seven-time F1 world champion as they flip to Italian groups within the hope of touchdown their subsequent title.

Whereas Ducati comfortably topped the MotoGP constructors’ standings, Ferrari has not received the equal title in F1 since 2007.

Ducati, spearheaded by technical guru Gigi Dall’Igna, has led the MotoGP improvement race since 2022 and whereas Ferrari appeared to carry an edge over its competitors in the beginning of the present F1 guidelines period in 2022, it has been overhauled by Purple Bull and McLaren in that interval.

However there are additionally some similarities between the 2 groups, albeit competing in several disciplines.

Combined receptions

For the most effective half, Hamilton’s reception has been constructive, with the fan turnout for his first drive in a Ferrari F1 automobile a testomony to how nicely he has been obtained.

Nonetheless, there has additionally been two figures who’ve been crucial of Ferrari’s resolution to signal the 40-year-old.

Former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto mentioned he wouldn’t have signed Hamilton if he was nonetheless in cost, whereas former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher was amongst others who had been additionally crucial of the transfer.

In the meantime, Ducati admitted that it too confronted a “divisive” response in Italy to Marquez’s arrival within the group. The group mentioned that the reception had been combined because it chosen Marquez relatively than Jorge Martin to be Francesco Bagnaia’s team-mate.

Marquez has been a thorn in Ducati’s aspect previously and beforehand seen because the enemy.

From a wider Italian perspective, this exploded in his bitter feud with Valentino Rossi in 2015 when he accused Marquez of attempting to help fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo (Rossi’s team-mate at Yamaha) within the title combat. The pair got here to blows on observe in Malaysia and peace has by no means been absolutely restored.

Campioni In Pista with Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Staff

Photograph by: Ducati Corse

In newer occasions, Marquez triumphed in opposition to Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso of their title battles between 2017-19 earlier than Ducati’s period of domination started in 2022, resulting in Marquez to acknowledge he couldn’t beat them with Honda so joined them in 2024 with a transfer to Gresini.

Now he’s modified sides, he may also want to vary some opinions.

Each have a degree to show

Hamilton minimize ties with Mercedes as a result of he felt Ferrari supplied him the most effective probability of successful an eighth world title, whereas Marquez joined Ducati to trip a aggressive bike.

The British driver proved he nonetheless has the velocity final season together with his two wins in Silverstone and Spa, whereas Marquez had a robust season with Gresini with three victories coming in Aragon, Misano and Phillip Island – the primary of these ending a 1,000-day wait for one more MotoGP win having overcome career-threatening accidents.

Make no mistake, each Hamilton and Marquez are able to including to the title rely this season and are wanting to show their respective doubters incorrect.

Administration is vital

That is the primary time since 2014 the place Ferrari have two clear primary drivers. Again then it was a short-lived one-season partnership of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen.

Collectively they delivered an underwhelming return of factors as Ferrari completed the season in fourth place within the championship. The caveat being that this was the opening season for the hybrid period and dominated by Mercedes and Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Staff, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari

Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Pictures

How Charles Leclerc accepts Hamilton coming into the group will likely be key. Ferrari has been moulded across the Monegasque and Hamilton is the outsider.

Nonetheless, judging by the response to his debut runs, he stands a chance of eclipsing Leclerc in terms of profile, one thing that would have an effect on the group’s inside politics.

The identical might be mentioned of Ducati too. Having Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP world champion, and his nearest rival in the identical group goes to take some managing.

Bagnaia and Marquez have earlier historical past too. They clashed in Portugal final yr and there’s each chance they’ll conflict once more as they battle for wins.

That is new territory for Ducati, which might want to discover a means of retaining the peace and make sure the racing stays truthful.

For the meantime, each Ferrari and Ducati are basking within the publicity and constructive wave of promotion.

Nonetheless, as soon as the season begins, the complexion is more likely to change and the way they handle their respective racers will likely be essential.