Recently, Valentino Rossi gave Francesco Bagnaia some important advice as Bagnaia prepares for a tough 2025 season, where he will have Marc Marquez as his teammate.

Bagnaia now faces a big challenge this season. Marquez, who impressed with Gresini Racing last year, earned himself a seat in the Ducati factory team. While Bagnaia is set as the number one rider within the team, Marquez’s arrival and strong performance could shake up the team dynamic—even though Marquez has acknowledged that Bagnaia is the team’s main rider.

Ducati believes it can manage having two top riders, but Rossi has personally warned Bagnaia to be cautious of Marquez’s mind games and tactics, which could help Marquez in his quest for a seventh MotoGP title.

Rossi’s Interview: Words of Warning

In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Rossi shared his thoughts:

“Some days, you have to fight for victory. Other days, you just need to bring home points. Bagnaia hasn’t always done that—otherwise, he would have already won a third championship.”

Rossi then gave a direct warning:

“Don’t fall into traps or let yourself be influenced by your teammate. In duels, have fun and push the limits, but stay smart.”

However, this isn’t the first time Rossi has advised Bagnaia this season. Earlier, he told him that he needs to find an extra 5% in performance to stay ahead of Marquez in 2025.

“Ducati’s factory riders are the ones to beat,” Rossi said. “Pecco is highly motivated after last season’s loss. I hope he can give that extra 5% to stay on top.”

Rossi vs. Marquez: A Rivalry That Still Burns

This all ties back to Rossi’s long history with Marquez. Their rivalry in the 2010s was one of the most intense in MotoGP history, and to this day, Rossi still believes Marquez played a role in helping Jorge Lorenzo win the 2015 championship.

Despite past rivalries, Rossi has made peace with some of his former competitors, like Lorenzo and Casey Stoner. He even invited them to his famous Tavullia ranch. However, his relationship with Marquez remains tense.

“Racing creates strong rivalries—sometimes even hatred. But once it’s over, there’s respect for those who shared those battles with you,” Rossi reflected.

He added that he has no hard feelings toward riders like Lorenzo, because, in his view, they never crossed the line with their aggression.

Can Bagnaia Avoid Marquez’s Traps?

With Bagnaia and Marquez now set to battle on equal machinery in 2025, Rossi’s advice could be the key to staying on top.

Will Bagnaia manage to avoid Marquez’s tricks and assert his dominance? Only time will tell.