Ducati has decided to keep its successful 2024 MotoGP engine in use for the remainder of the current 1000cc era, extending it through the 2025 and 2026 seasons before new technical regulations take effect in 2027. This means the core power unit that helped dominate the championship will be familiar to all factory and satellite Ducati riders.
The choice follows the overwhelming success of Ducati’s GP24 engine. In 2024, bikes using this power unit won most of the grands prix and sprint races, with multiple riders including Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini achieving victories. Ducati’s superiority was a decisive factor in the manufacturer’s strong championship performance.
Source: Bike EXIF
Ducati engineers describe the current engine as more than 90 percent the same as the 2024 version, with only minor changes to non-engine freeze components to improve reliability. The company says there was limited benefit in developing a completely new unit for 2025 given the forthcoming two-year freeze on engine development for most manufacturers, a rule designed to reduce costs and maintain stability across the grid.
Despite rumours and speculation in the paddock about differences in engine specification between riders, Ducati now confirms that all Desmosedici bikes will use the same 2024-based engine. Teams may still run different aerodynamics, chassis components and swingarms depending on their bike year designation, such as GP25 or GP26.
Riders have largely stayed quiet on the specifics of the engine during pre-season testing. Some testing efforts have focused more on aerodynamics and overall bike setup than on the power unit itself. While a few riders tried slightly different bikes during tests, they did not confirm whether these featured any distinct engine developments.
Commercial considerations also play a role in Ducati’s approach. Selling bikes to satellite teams at different prices based on model year means the naming and perceived value of each bike can influence customer teams’ choices and budgets. Ducati’s strategy aims to balance performance with business stability as it prepares for a major regulatory shift in 2027.
