Francesco Bagnaia’s efforts in the 2025 MotoGP season were hampered by his ongoing battle with braking issues, particularly on his new Ducati GP25, challenging his hopes for another championship. The Bagnaia MotoGP braking struggles became evident as he attempted to regain the front-end assurance that marked his previous successes, yet found himself unable to deliver consistent results.
Bagnaia’s Adjustments on the 2025 Ducati GP25
Throughout the season, Bagnaia searched for the balance and control he had enjoyed with former Ducati models. There were moments when his signature hard-braking technique surfaced, especially highlighted by an exceptional display at Motegi. However, any progress was undermined by a recurring instability at corner exit, leaving Bagnaia dissatisfied with his ability to manage the bike in crucial moments. Straight-line braking remained on par with past years, but Bagnaia noted a decline in his ability to apply the brakes with lean angle entering corners—an essential skill for his aggressive riding style.
The Impact of Braking Issues on Race Results
Bagnaia’s difficulties became particularly damaging in actual race conditions, where maintaining position against competitors often depends on proficient corner entry. The Italian acknowledged that when riding closely behind others in the slipstream, straight-line braking becomes less effective, making it even more critical to be able to decelerate with the bike leaned over as they turn into corners. The loss of this ability left him at a distinct disadvantage during race battles and overtakes.
“And that’s something that I was missing all season, especially following others.”
– Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP rider
“When you’re following others, the slipstream is not helping you to stop the bike. And [then] if you’re not able to stop with lean angle, you’re f**ked, so this was my problem,”
– Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP rider
Comparing Past Strengths to Current Limitations
Reflecting on his past seasons, Bagnaia pointed out that he previously excelled at braking with a greater lean angle, controlling the bike’s slide, and aggressively reducing speed in the final phases before the corner. This year, however, those techniques were largely out of reach, leaving him unable to push as hard as he needed during critical moments.
“All things that this season I usually wasn’t able to do.”
– Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP rider
Season Outcome and the Road Ahead
Despite winning two Sprint races and two full grands prix, Bagnaia’s braking challenges contributed to eight non-scoring finishes in the last ten events. As a consequence, he dropped to fifth place in the 2025 MotoGP World Championship rankings, a significant slide compared to earlier performances. The ongoing issue with the GP25’s braking dynamics remains a key focus for Bagnaia and his team as they seek to regain their competitive edge for future races. Resolving these difficulties will be pivotal to restoring Bagnaia’s title hopes and keeping Ducati a front-runner in the championship.
