Pecco Bagnaia has played down his chances of repeating last year’s shock double victory at Motegi, saying fighting for the top seven would be “realistic” this weekend.
The Japanese Grand Prix was the stand-out event of Bagnaia’s troubled 2025 season, when he suddenly dominated after spending much of the year struggling with the GP25. Bagnaia won both races from pole position, but the breakthrough proved a flash in the pan rather than the turning point he and Ducati had hoped for.
The Italian returns after an even tougher 2026, where the double MotoGP champion is yet to win a grand prix race and sits only ninth in the world championship heading into the final stages of his Ducati career. Bagnaia has not stood on a MotoGP podium since Brno, where he won the Sprint before matching his season-best grand prix finish of third.
“Every season is different, so I don't have any expectation from this year,” Bagnaia said at Motegi on Thursday. “I love the track, I love the people, I love the culture, so it's something that is always giving me good vibes. The reality is that we need to focus and the objective is to fight for top seven, to be realistic. We need to understand the new asphalt, the differences of the tyres, and see if we can, maybe, solve the grip issue with the new asphalt. But in any case, another good track for braking, so I think that the gap can be smaller compared to other circuits, and I hope to start well tomorrow and have some good feelings.”
Asked what he remembered most about last year’s dominant Motegi weekend, Bagnaia replied: “Fantastic feeling. I was riding at 100%, and I was riding in my wayg. Like Frank Sinatra!”
Is it possible to recover that feeling this weekend? “It’s more or less two seasons that we are trying, but it's difficult.”
Bagnaia’s struggles have been evident throughout 2026, with the Italian unable to recapture the form that saw him dominate Motegi just a year ago. The new asphalt at the Japanese circuit could provide an opportunity to address the grip issues that have plagued the GP25, but Bagnaia remains cautious about his prospects. “We need to understand the new asphalt, the differences of the tyres, and see if we can, maybe, solve the grip issue,” he explained.
With his Ducati career winding down, Bagnaia is determined to make the most of the remaining races. “I just want to enjoy the races and give my maximum effort,” he said. For now, a top-seven finish would be a small victory in a season that has been anything but victorious for the Italian.
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