A new venue, a fresh set of challenges, and one big question: can anyone finally stop Marc Marquez?
MotoGP™ makes its long-awaited return to Hungary for the first time since 1992, but this time at the brand-new Balaton Park circuit. Nestled beside the shores of Central Europe’s largest lake, the 14th round of the 2025 season arrives with a blend of history and novelty. Picturesque scenery may frame the weekend, but all eyes are on the track as the championship hits its decisive phase. With only nine rounds left, every point matters. The burning question: will Balaton Park fall neatly into Marc Marquez’s script, or could the brand-new layout spring a surprise twist?
Marquez in Relentless Form as the Chase Behind Tightens
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) arrives in Hungary with momentum that seems almost unstoppable. His sixth consecutive Sunday victory at the Red Bull Ring marked his longest winning streak since 2014, further cementing his status as the championship’s runaway leader. The Balaton Park layout — largely left-handed with a flowing rhythm — appears tailor-made for Marquez’s aggressive, high-corner-speed style. On paper, the Spaniard is the man to beat.
But challengers are emerging. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) continues to shine, delivering back-to-back podium finishes in Spielberg including Aprilia’s maiden rostrum at the Red Bull Ring. After leading the Austrian Grand Prix for much of the distance before fading to third, Bezzecchi has climbed into fourth in the standings. His combination of one-lap speed (pole in Austria) and Sunday consistency makes him a genuine threat to Marquez’s dominance.
Between them on form sit Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). Both endured bruising races in Austria — Alex losing ground after serving a Long Lap Penalty, and Bagnaia slipping to eighth after a string of uncompromising overtakes from rivals. With Marc Marquez perched on 418 points and a daunting 142-point cushion, the real intrigue lies in the fight just behind. Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, and Alex Marquez are now locked in a three-way dogfight for second place overall.
The Battle for Fifth: Acosta Joins the Fray
Behind that trio, the contest for fifth in the standings is even tighter. Three riders — Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli (both Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) alongside rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) — are tied on 144 points. Neither Di Giannantonio nor Morbidelli have scored in a Grand Prix since Assen, leaving the door wide open.
Acosta, by contrast, is charging hard. A Sprint podium and a superb fourth place in Austria capped a purple patch that has seen the teenager take three podiums in the last two weekends. Add to that the raw speed of fellow rising star Fermín Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) — who stormed to a career-best second place in Spielberg — and it’s clear that the next generation is very much in play. With Balaton Park presenting a completely fresh canvas, youth could yet trump experience.
KTM on the Rise, Yamaha Still Searching
KTM riders had plenty to smile about at their home round. Pedro Acosta was the standout, but Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) also delivered his best Sunday performance of the season, while Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished seventh to keep himself in the mix. The Austrian factory will look to carry that momentum into Hungary.
There will also be a familiar face returning in orange: Pol Espargaró replaces the injured Maverick Viñales at Tech3, a boost given Espargaró’s prior testing mileage around Balaton Park. That experience could prove invaluable in a weekend where setup knowledge is limited across the paddock.
Yamaha, however, remains stuck in neutral. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) continues to carry the factory’s hopes, battling to stay ahead of Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) in the championship. His teammate Alex Rins was the top Yamaha in Austria, but both he and satellite duo Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Jack Miller are struggling to crack the top ten. Hungary provides a clean slate — but only if Yamaha can unlock more performance from their M1.
Underdogs and Potential Spoilers
Further down the order, several riders could play the role of dark horse. Defending champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) is desperate to bounce back after a costly crash in Austria and sees Balaton as a perfect reset. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) quietly continues his solid 2025, logging a sixth consecutive top-ten finish with P9 in Spielberg, while Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) produced his best ride since India 2023 with a gritty sixth.
Honda, meanwhile, remains in transition. Luca Marini will aim to push closer to the top ten, while rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) hopes a brand-new track provides the chance to reset after a tough run. Somkiat Chantra remains sidelined with injury, replaced once again by veteran Aleix Espargaró.
The anti-clockwise Balaton layout adds another layer of intrigue. Fresh tarmac, no historical data, and the relentless form of Marc Marquez — it all sets the stage for a weekend where reputations can be made or broken. Bezzecchi’s charge, Aldeguer’s fearless rise, and the return of Alex Marquez without a Long Lap Penalty to serve — all make for a storyline-heavy debut in Hungary.
Moto2™: Gonzalez’s Grip Loosens
The Moto2™ title race has been blown wide open. Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) saw his championship lead cut to just 19 points after suffering a cruel DNF in Austria when a stone punctured his radiator. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego), despite battling injuries from a heavy FP2 crash, salvaged tenth place to claw back valuable ground.
But the biggest mover was Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). The Brazilian returned to winning ways with his second victory of the year, reigniting his championship hopes after a run of difficult weekends. Just 35 points now separate Gonzalez, Canet, and Moreira — with Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) a further ten points back. With four riders in contention, Hungary could mark a decisive turning point.
Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will be eager to forget Austria and rebound strongly, while Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team) has closed in thanks to his second podium of 2025. Expect the Balaton Park debut to deliver more twists in this already unpredictable Moto2™ fight.
Moto3™: Piqueras Finds Form, Rueda Still in Control
In Moto3™, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) snapped a seven-race podium drought in style, taking a dominant win in Austria. That cut leader Jose Antonio Rueda’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) advantage to 71 points, still a comfortable margin but one that keeps the fight alive.
The weekend was doubly sweet for FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI, with Ryusei Yamanaka claiming a career-best second to seal a 1-2 finish. Behind them, David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) continued his hot streak with a fourth podium in as many races, putting him level on points with rookie standouts Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
The Rookie of the Year battle between Quiles and Carpe is finely poised, but both — along with Muñoz — now have their eyes set on breaking into the title fight. With Balaton Park providing a level playing field, Moto3™ is wide open.
The Verdict
A brand-new track. A resurgent set of challengers. And Marc Marquez in the form of his life. Balaton Park has all the ingredients for a landmark weekend — one where the #93 could extend his dominance further, or where a hungry rival could finally write their own piece of history.
