Le Mans, France – May 10, 2025 – Marc Márquez made a powerful statement during the French Grand Prix weekend by obliterating the lap record at Le Mans during Friday’s practice session, reminding the MotoGP paddock of his blistering pace and ever-present championship potential.
The Gresini Ducati rider clocked a sensational time of 1:29.479, carving over two-tenths off the previous lap record and cementing his position at the top of the timesheets in Practice 2 at the historic Bugatti Circuit. The eight-time world champion’s lap not only secured him the fastest time of the day but also reasserted his resurgence in form since his move to Ducati machinery for the 2025 season.
A Statement Lap
Under overcast skies but in dry conditions, Márquez executed a nearly flawless flying lap late in the session. Using a fresh soft rear tire, he unleashed his trademark aggression in the braking zones while displaying refined corner exit stability that has become a hallmark of the Ducati GP25.
The record-breaking lap sent a clear message to his rivals, especially reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martín, both of whom were also in the top five but failed to match Márquez’s outright pace.
“I felt great on the bike today,” Márquez said in the post-session press conference. “We’ve been working a lot with the team to understand how to maximize the grip here at Le Mans, and today it clicked. Of course, it’s only Friday, but setting the lap record is always a good sign.”
Le Mans Suits Márquez’s Style
Le Mans has historically been a strong circuit for Márquez, with its tight chicanes and heavy braking zones favoring his aggressive yet precise riding style. Despite battling injuries and inconsistent form in recent years, the French Grand Prix has often seen Márquez at his best. This latest performance adds to the growing belief that he is finally back to full competitiveness in 2025.
Top 5 Riders – Practice 2 Times
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Marc Márquez (Gresini Ducati) – 1:29.479
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Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) – +0.221
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Jorge Martín (Pramac Ducati) – +0.289
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Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) – +0.387
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Brad Binder (KTM) – +0.451
Fabio Quartararo gave the home crowd something to cheer for as well, posting a strong fourth-place time—his best Friday result of the season so far. “It’s great to be in front of the fans and find some good rhythm again,” said the Frenchman. “We’re still a bit behind on race pace, but this is promising.”
Looking Ahead
While practice times don’t always translate into race-day results, Márquez’s performance puts him in an ideal position heading into Saturday’s qualifying and the Sprint Race. With the top ten riders within less than a second, a fierce battle for pole position is expected.
If Márquez can carry this momentum into Sunday, he may find himself in contention for his first Grand Prix win since 2021—a potential turning point in the 2025 MotoGP championship.
