Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia has issued an apology to his Ducati MotoGP team following ongoing challenges at the Dutch TT. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, Bagnaia has faced difficulties with front-end feeling on the new Desmosedici GP25, forcing him to test multiple technical setups to regain the confidence he had last year with the GP24, a season marked by 11 Grand Prix victories.
At Assen, Bagnaia openly apologized to his team for his previous approach to these issues and vowed to change his mindset and race preparation moving forward in the season.
Insight into Bagnaia’s Discussion with Ducati’s Engineering Team
In a candid conversation with Spanish broadcaster DAZN, Bagnaia explained a recent meeting with his engineers where he took responsibility for his current struggles.
“I had a small meeting with my team, with the engineers, and I have only apologised because I want to change,”
he said.
He acknowledged that the current tactics have not resolved his problems, emphasizing the need to align more closely with the team.
“I want to go more in the direction of the team, because so far few things have solved the problems.”
He highlighted the importance of increased preparation by doing more laps, even if it means slowing down at times, as part of adjusting his approach for better race readiness.
“I want to do more laps, be more prepared for the races. This season has been complicated, so we need a change and it was important to understand that.”
Bagnaia stated that after every session he returns to the garage determined to isolate issues independently without adding complexity. He shared his sensitivity toward bike feedback, noting that
“if I don’t like something on the bike, I notice it from the first corner,”
but admitted that short stints of one or two laps do not effectively address his concerns.
“So, it will be difficult for me, but I will try to do more laps, even if it is going slower sometimes.”
Performance Setbacks During the Dutch TT and Sprint Race Challenges
Bagnaia’s difficulties at the Dutch TT echoed the struggles he experienced in 2024, particularly during the MotoGP Sprint, where he started in second place but slipped to fifth immediately after the start, unable to regain lost ground. This contrasted with the main race on Sunday, where despite dropping back after leading early, Bagnaia managed to overtake Pedro Acosta to secure a third-place finish behind Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi.
The Ducati Lenovo Team rider voiced his frustration with his race starts, saying,
“I always do the same thing: I start, everyone overtakes me and I have to watch them the whole race.”
He accepted full responsibility for the issue, clarifying,
“I can’t attack, I can’t do anything, but it’s completely [my problem].”
Bagnaia pointed to adapting the fuel load and riding style as a particular challenge:
“It’s all about the tank. I have to adapt, but I don’t know how to do it. Suddenly I’m there, watching, and everyone overtakes me. I can’t attack, I can’t do anything.”
He expressed confidence that if the problems experienced in Saturday’s sprint race happened during the Sunday race, he would be able to perform better.
“I am 95 per cent sure that if the situation on Saturday occurs on a Sunday, I will move forward without a problem. But I don’t know how to improve the sprint. I try to do the same as on Sunday, but it doesn’t work out for me.”
Looking Ahead: Commitment to Change and Adaptation
Bagnaia’s apology and pledge to alter his approach represent a significant turning point amid his season’s early frustrations. By committing to closer collaboration with his team and dedicating more time on track to fine-tune his method, Bagnaia hopes to regain the form that brought him success in 2024. As the season unfolds, these adjustments will be critical not only for his confidence but also for Ducati’s aspirations in MotoGP’s competitive field.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. The unfortunate truth is that entertainment tends to sell more than sports. MotoGP is attempting to benefit from this trend. However, in its present state, MotoGP lacks personalities that can generate enough drama to make it exciting.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is celebrated for being the only person to win world championships on both motorcycles and in Formula 1 cars, showcasing remarkable talent and courage in each.
Q. Did F1 buy MotoGP?
A. F1 and MotoGP are now managed by the same company, Liberty, which oversees two top global racing leagues. This change may affect how they are governed, compete, and handle business. Even though the EU agreed to the merger, some are worried it might lead to a ‘monopoly-like’ situation.
Q. Is F1 faster than MotoGP?
A. A Formula 1 car can reach a breathtaking speed of 205 mph on the back straight at COTA. In comparison, a MotoGP bike reaches 221 mph. Despite this, there is a lap time difference of about 25 seconds between the two racing series.
