Pecco Bagnaia Turns to Alex Marquez Data for Grip Answers

Pecco Bagnaia is looking to the data of Alex Marquez for solutions to the grip problems that restricted him during the German MotoGP Sprint at the Sachsenring.

Bagnaia could manage only seventh after struggling to secure a Q2 place and starting the Sprint from 11th. He considered the result his maximum because he was unable to use rear-wheel slide as effectively as the other Ducati riders.

The main problem developed when rear grip began to decline. Bagnaia had to keep both wheels in line because any slide prevented him from accelerating, but that approach increased the load on the front tyre and produced significant understeer.

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“I do not have grip, so as soon as I slide, I cannot accelerate. I need to keep both wheels in line, and then I have a lot of understeer,” Bagnaia said.

The imbalance caused both tyres to deteriorate during the closing stages. Bagnaia continued trying to close on Jorge Martin, but reduced his risk level when the final five or six laps became increasingly difficult.

His attention has now shifted towards Alex rather than Sprint winner Marc Marquez. Ducati’s data indicated that the Gresini rider was receiving the greatest support from the motorcycle while sliding the rear and still maintaining forward drive.

“If we can understand what Alex Marquez is doing, we can be competitive. We have already looked at the data, and the rider receiving the most support from the bike is Alex. We need to understand that,” he said.

The switch from the soft to the medium rear tyre for the grand prix may not automatically solve Bagnaia’s problem because the harder compound is expected to slide more. He will start ninth following Marco Bezzecchi’s withdrawal and Franco Morbidelli’s penalty, but resolving the grip deficit remains central to improving his Sunday result.