Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, the triple MotoGP world champion, is facing a significant downturn in his racing career during the 2025 season. His recent performance at Balaton Park marked a low point, as he failed to qualify directly for Q2 for the first time since the 2023 Indonesian Grand Prix, starting 15th on the grid. This stark decline contrasts sharply with the rider once known for battling at the front each weekend, raising questions about his future prospects amid growing challenges.
Bagnaia Opens Up About His Current Difficulties
The Ducati rider has candidly described this period as the most challenging of his career, dating back to the season’s beginning. He remains confident in his ability to compete for podiums despite the ongoing issues:
This is absolutely the most difficult moment, and it has been like this since the start of the season. I know I can fight for wins and podiums.
—Pecco Bagnaia
Comparing his current form to last year reveals a troubling drop in performance. In 2024, Bagnaia’s lap times kept him competitive with top race winners, but in 2025, he is unable to harness the same level of capability. He expressed frustration over this loss of form:
I can’t tap into the potential I had in 2024. It’s hard to accept and understand; it’s also difficult for the team, as they work tirelessly to provide me with that potential, but we aren’t finding it.
—Pecco Bagnaia
Technical Challenges with the Ducati GP25 Hamper Performance
The Ducati GP25, expected to support championship success, has instead presented significant challenges for Bagnaia. Compared to rivals such as Marc Marquez, who seem to handle their machines with ease, Bagnaia struggles particularly with braking and bike control. He admitted his difficulty in adapting to the style required for optimal riding:
I’ve tried to ride like him, but I simply can’t. I can’t pilot this bike the way he does or the way I wish to.
—Pecco Bagnaia
He further highlighted Marquez’s skill in masking his bike’s problems, underscoring the pressure he faces:
Marc is incredibly skilled at concealing problems; he could probably be fast even on a tractor.
—Pecco Bagnaia
Efforts at Ducati Headquarters Aim to Find Solutions
At Ducati’s Borgo Panigale headquarters, a team of 50 engineers is fully engaged in identifying technical solutions to improve the GP25’s handling and performance. Although they have made some minor adjustments, the track layout at Balaton Park—with its short braking zones and rapid accelerations—has amplified the bike’s weaknesses and Bagnaia’s difficulties on race day.
Team and Rider Seek Silver Linings Amid Setbacks
Despite these challenges, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi remains hopeful about recovering competitive levels. Bagnaia himself found some consolation during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he felt more in control of his bike despite an unimpressive ninth-place finish:
I was somewhat satisfied in Hungary—not with the result, but with the feelings. I was able to ride my bike, and it didn’t dominate me.
—Pecco Bagnaia
Comparisons with Marquez Reflect Different Riding Styles and Approaches
Fellow Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is also contending with the GP25’s quirks, commented on the difficulty of comparing their riding to that of Marquez:
Marc is Marc. We’re talking about a champion, so it’s no surprise that he performs exceptionally well.
—Fabio Di Giannantonio
Di Giannantonio emphasized the differences in riding styles and bike setups within the same team, making direct comparisons challenging:
Pecco, Marc, and I ride the Ducati in completely different ways. Even our setups are entirely distinct. It’s hard to say if Marc would be better or worse on our bike. But one thing is certain: he does an outstanding job.
—Fabio Di Giannantonio
The Critical Juncture in Bagnaia’s MotoGP Journey
Pecco Bagnaia now faces a defining moment in his MotoGP career, teetering between reclaiming his elite status or enduring a season overshadowed by unfulfilled expectations. Amid mounting pressure and increasing scrutiny from fans, rivals, and analysts, his path forward remains uncertain. The outcome of this turbulent period will not only shape his legacy but also impact Ducati’s championship ambitions moving ahead.
