Ducati’s general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, has openly acknowledged growing impatience with Francesco Bagnaia due to the rider’s declining results in the current MotoGP season. Bagnaia failed to score points at the recent San Marino Grand Prix, held at Misano, after finishing 13th in the sprint race and crashing out of the main event while in eighth position.
This marked only the second race weekend this season where Bagnaia left empty-handed, following a difficult, rain-soaked appearance at the French Grand Prix. His struggles have raised concerns within the Ducati camp, as the rider was unable to replicate the strong form that brought him 11 wins last year.
Bagnaia Opens Up on His Frustrations Amid Worsening Results
After qualifying in eighth place at Misano, Bagnaia expressed growing frustration, recognizing his patience was wearing thin. Speaking to Sky Italy after the sprint race, he said,
My patience is running out. It’s difficult,
and added,
My effort is enormous, my head is strong. I will not lose confidence in my potential and in my team. We will continue to work, and one day we will return. I hope it will be soon.
He later stressed the urgency of the situation, declaring,
We have to work harder. This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening. We have to look at the data and understand what’s going on, someone has to explain it to me. I’m living a nightmare.
These remarks echoed a similar outcry by Bagnaia after the Austrian Grand Prix, where he demanded answers from Ducati about his inconsistent performance on the GP25 bike.
Internal Pressure at Ducati and Team’s Response
Tensions are rising inside Borgo Panigale as Bagnaia’s run of poor results continues. Team manager Davide Tardozzi has urged Bagnaia to adapt his riding style to overcome the difficulties. While Dall’Igna had earlier offered a more measured perspective on the issue, noting that Bagnaia lacked the familiar connection to the current GP25 compared to his GP24, his tone shifted when addressing the rider’s recent comments during Sunday’s Sky Italy interview:
I’ve lost patience too, as have Pecco’s fans. I think it’s normal to say these things when the results aren’t coming.
This candid admission reveals the mounting pressure on Bagnaia to improve his form and justify his status as a two-time MotoGP champion within the Ducati team.
Upcoming Test at Misano and Expectations for Progress
MotoGP’s final in-season test will take place at Misano following the Grand Prix weekend. This session provides non-concession manufacturers like Ducati an opportunity to try new updates and adjustments outside of race conditions. The previous test at Aragon proved pivotal for Bagnaia’s teammate, Marc Marquez, who refined a setup that fueled his mid-season dominance.
Despite this, Dall’Igna tempered expectations for Bagnaia’s results from the upcoming Misano test, stating,
Of course, you can’t pull a rabbit out of a hat in a single day of testing. It will be an important day, and I hope the tests will be fruitful. Everything is certainly important, but nothing fundamental will happen.
This cautious outlook highlights the challenges Ducati faces in resolving Bagnaia’s issues swiftly, emphasizing that improvements will likely be incremental rather than immediate.
Implications for Ducati and Bagnaia’s Season Ahead
The increasing impatience within Ducati underscores the urgency for Bagnaia to regain confidence and consistency to salvage his season. Both internal team voices and the general manager acknowledge that the rider’s current form is below expectations for a champion. With the Misano test and forthcoming races, Bagnaia and Ducati will need to work closely to identify the root causes behind the struggles and restore competitive performance.
How Bagnaia responds could impact his standing in the championship and his place within the Ducati team, while the search for solutions will continue to shape the final stages of the MotoGP season.
