Francesco Bagnaia is optimistic about continuing the unconventional adjustment made to his Ducati GP25 at the Misano test during this weekend’s Japanese MotoGP. This notable modification aims to improve the front-end feedback he has struggled to find throughout the season.
The two-time world champion has not disclosed the specific details of the changes, only revealing that the adjustment represents a novel approach for the team. He described it as
“a type of work that has never been done.”
Innovative Changes Drawing Positive Attention
Bagnaia told Sky Italia that Ducati attempted to replicate the path taken during the Misano testing phase. He explained,
“It’s a bit unconventional; it wasn’t easy to imagine it could be used here, but they succeeded: we’ll work in that direction.”
These alterations are not entirely identical to the Misano setup, but partly based on it, hinting at a cautious yet hopeful adaptation for the upcoming race.
Reflecting on his past performances, Bagnaia recalled his perfect double victory at Motegi last year and expressed a desire to regain the speed and confidence he once had.
“I was going really fast, I hope I can get even a little bit of that feeling back,”
he said.
Challenging Championship Dynamics
Currently, Bagnaia is working to end a troubling ten-race podium drought. Meanwhile, teammate Marc Marquez dominates the standings with a commanding 182-point lead over his brother Alex Marquez and is on the verge of clinching the championship on Sunday.
Bagnaia commented on Marc’s season, acknowledging his extraordinary performance by saying,
“I think there’s little to add to what he’s done this season.”
He added,
“Especially with the GP25: he’s the only one who could ride it at 100%. It’s been almost a championship without rivals… and he’s been unbeatable.”
Marc Marquez has secured 11 wins out of 16 grands prix and 14 Sprints, while Bagnaia’s only victory with the GP25 so far this season came at COTA, capitalizing on Marc’s crash from the lead. Behind this top group, Bagnaia now faces a challenge for third place in the standings from Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, who trails by just eight points with Alex Marquez holding second place, 93 points ahead.
Implications for Upcoming Races
The unconventional Ducati adjustments signal a strategic move to address performance gaps and regain competitive momentum. With the Japanese MotoGP providing a vital opportunity, Bagnaia’s experimental changes could help restore the feeling needed for stronger finishes ahead. His progress will also influence the ongoing championship battle, as rival riders like Marco Bezzecchi draw nearer in points.
