VR46 team director Uccio Salucci has confirmed that Francesco Bagnaia rode Franco Morbidelli’s Ducati GP24 during last month’s official test at Misano. This confirmation comes after weeks of speculation, as neither Ducati nor Bagnaia had acknowledged the use of the previous year’s bike until now. The test took place on September 15 in an effort to address ongoing issues Bagnaia faced during the season related to the bike’s front-end handling.
Bagnaia’s Search for Stability Amid Performance Struggles
Bagnaia had been grappling with difficulties maintaining confidence in his current Desmosedici GP25, especially at the front end, which had hampered his performances for months. Seeking a solution, the Italian rider tested the GP24 that was assigned to his teammate Morbidelli during the Misano test. Ducati had kept this information under wraps, even after Bagnaia’s remarkable return to form at the Motegi round, where he won both the sprint and the main race, marking his first double victory of the year.
Despite the impressive results, Ducati refrained from disclosing which bike variant Bagnaia was riding throughout the season until Salucci revealed the truth just before the Indonesian GP.
Ducati’s Response and Salucci’s Disclosure on GP24 Testing
Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’Igna emphasized that the specifics of the bike used were secondary to Bagnaia’s speed and victories. He stated,
“Explaining what happened is of little importance. What really matters is that Pecco was fast, that he took pole position, that he won the sprint and also the race,”
after the Motegi weekend.
However, Uccio Salucci openly shared more details during the free practice broadcast before the Indonesian GP, saying,
“Ducati asked us so we helped Pecco a little bit. He tried our bike, Morbidelli’s bike at the Misano test. And after that, I don’t know [what bike he has been riding since].”
This revelation contradicted Ducati’s earlier silence on Bagnaia’s use of the GP24 model.
Regulations and Timing of the GP24 Test
The opportunity to test the older GP24 was available under current MotoGP regulations, which require riders to use the same engine specification throughout the season but allow the chassis and other components to be altered. Bagnaia and Ducati could have chosen to use the previous year’s bike with the current engine earlier in the year but delayed until the Misano test to do so, perhaps as a final attempt to regain confidence.
Bagnaia’s Reflections on Returning to the GP24
Before the Misano session, at the Hungarian GP in August, Bagnaia hinted that if given the chance to choose again with the benefit of hindsight, he would have selected the GP24. He noted,
“If I could go back, with my current experience, I would obviously choose to race with the GP24. But at that time [in the pre-season], I couldn’t see the difference.”
He further added,
“I am absolutely certain that the GP24 felt better than the GP25; I don’t need to prove it. There’s no point in testing the GP24 because I wouldn’t be able to use it anyway.”
This statement highlighted his internal conflict and frustration over the technical direction Ducati had taken with the GP25.
Current Challenges and Next Steps at the Indonesian GP
Despite the Misano test and the breakthroughs in Japan, Bagnaia struggled during the initial free practice at the Indonesian GP, ending 17th, over a second slower than teammate Marc Marquez, who was fifth. This result illustrates that Bagnaia’s challenges with the GP25 persist as the season approaches its final phases.
Looking ahead, Bagnaia will need to evaluate whether the adjustments made following the Misano test will translate to improved consistency and confidence. The strategic decisions Ducati and Bagnaia make in these closing rounds could prove critical for his championship ambitions and performance stability.
