MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Francesco Bagnaia has reflected on a challenging 2025 MotoGP campaign while also discussing his relationship with teammate Marc Marquez and hinting that clarity over his 2027 future could arrive soon.
The Ducati rider made the comments during a fan event held at his official fan club headquarters in Chivasso, his hometown in northern Italy. In an interview with Moto.it, Bagnaia spoke openly about his past season, his current situation at Ducati, and the possibility of a future career move.
When asked directly by fans whether he would remain with Ducati or consider another destination for the 2027 season, Bagnaia suggested that a decision may soon become public.
“You will know in a few days or weeks,” said Francesco Bagnaia with a smile when asked about his future plans.
The gathering provided an opportunity for Bagnaia to reflect on the previous MotoGP season, which he described as particularly complicated.
“In the journey and life of every athlete there are ups and downs. Sometimes there are bad years, even very bad ones. But it’s part of the process,” he explained.
The Italian rider admitted that the experience of the 2025 season helped him learn valuable lessons, particularly in managing pressure and avoiding mistakes during key moments of the championship battle.
“I’ve learned to manage certain situations better and we will try not to repeat those mistakes this year,” he added.
Bagnaia also addressed the disappointing start to the 2026 season at the Thai Grand Prix. Despite encouraging performance during pre-season testing, the race weekend at Buriram did not deliver the results he expected.
According to the Italian rider, changes in track conditions may have played a significant role in the unexpected performance drop.
“Testing went very well. But conditions can change, especially the level of grip. In the end, the pace I had in testing was very different compared with the race situation,” he said.
Bagnaia noted that the team is now carefully analysing the data in order to understand the issues and arrive better prepared for the next round in Brazil.
Another topic that attracted strong interest from fans was his relationship with teammate Marc Marquez, who joined Ducati as a key figure within the team structure.
Despite early speculation about possible tension between the two riders, Bagnaia stated that their working relationship has been positive.
“It’s good. I feel comfortable with him. At the beginning there were some doubts because of my background with the Valentino Academy, but from the moment we started working together as teammates, I felt very comfortable,” Bagnaia explained.
Beyond MotoGP, Bagnaia also shared his admiration for rising Formula 1 talent Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian driver currently competing for Mercedes.
Bagnaia expressed surprise at how quickly Antonelli has adapted to the top level of motorsport.
“It’s incredible. I’m always amazed to think he is the same age as my younger brother and he is already there among the great drivers doing amazing things,” he said.
He also highlighted the competitiveness of the Mercedes team at the start of the season, which could provide Antonelli with the opportunity to demonstrate his full potential in Formula 1.
As the MotoGP season progresses, Bagnaia emphasised that his immediate focus remains on improving performance and consistency with Ducati. At the same time, developments regarding his long-term future in the championship could soon become clearer as the rider market begins to take shape ahead of the 2027 season.
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