Francesco Bagnaia has pinpointed the main reason behind his ongoing difficulties with Ducati’s 2025 MotoGP bike, the GP25, attributing his struggles to an inability to adapt to the bike’s unique characteristics. After competing in 15 grands prix with the new machine, the two-time world champion described a fundamental mismatch between his riding style and the core design of the GP25 as the source of his performance decline.
Debate Surrounding Bagnaia’s Performance This Season
Since the beginning of the season, theories have circulated regarding Bagnaia’s poor form, with results gradually worsening. Some critics have suggested that the presence of former Honda star Marc Marquez within the Ducati team may have unsettled him. Meanwhile, Ducati team principal Davide Tardozzi has indicated that Bagnaia lacks the confidence needed to push the bike to its limits. Despite such opinions, Bagnaia remains focused on understanding why the bike’s design poses such a challenge to him.
Admitting the Difficulty of Adapting to the GP25
Speaking ahead of the Misano round, Bagnaia acknowledged examining all possible causes for his struggles and confirmed that the GP25’s unfamiliar DNA is the primary obstacle. He explained,
“Honestly, I looked at every single direction possible and the only reason for my difficulty is that this bike has a different DNA that I’m still not able to adapt to,”
emphasizing how adaptation plays a central role in rider performance on different machines.
He added,
“Some bikes are better, some bikes are more difficult, but it depends on the way you can adapt to it. Unluckily, with this bike, I’m struggling more.”
Recent Race Experiences Highlight Challenges
Bagnaia’s recent weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix was notably difficult, marked by the second-worst qualifying result of his MotoGP career and a start from 21st on the grid. While the Barcelona circuit is known for its low-grip surface, the upcoming San Marino GP at Misano features a contrasting high-grip track, presenting new challenges and opportunities for the rider.
After scoring just 16 points over the previous two weekends in Hungary and Spain, Bagnaia expressed hope for a smoother experience in Misano, his home race venue. He stressed the importance of improved grip, recalling the difficulties he faced with rear support during the last race, stating,
“It will be important for me to have more grip, because last weekend was quite tricky for me.”
He reflected on the tough recent results:
“The last GP was a disaster [and] a nightmare for me, like the one in Balaton. I just need a normal race weekend, and a good result could be a fantastic moment right now.”
Determined to Regain Form Despite Setbacks
Although Bagnaia has not met the expectations typical of a factory rider‘s campaign, he continues to hold an optimistic mindset about his potential to return to the front. When asked about his current feelings, he shared,
“Right now, I don’t want to say that I’m happy, I don’t want to say that I’m angry.”
He underscored his commitment by stating,
“I know that I’m here to win races, I’m here in the factory team because I can fight for wins. Right now, the potential is not there. I tried everything to adapt to this bike, but right now I’m still struggling to do it and the results are those ones.”
Despite the challenges, Bagnaia remains motivated to compete strongly:
“So it’s difficult, but I’m always trying to arrive at the race weekend with a good motivation to fight for a win.”
Focus for Misano and Future Prospects
Now 28 years old, Bagnaia views the Misano race as a critical chance to improve his standing, though he tempers expectations by setting a realistic goal. He sees a victory as an excellent outcome but is primarily targeting a finish within the top five on Sunday.
His outlook underlines the pressure and determination inherent in competing at the highest level with Ducati’s factory team, while highlighting the broader implications for his future performance and relationship with the GP25 bike as the season continues.
