Pecco Bagnaia's Tough MotoGP 2025 Season

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Francesco Bagnaia, rider for the Ducati Lenovo Team, faces a challenging 2025 season with the Desmosedici GP25, securing just one win from the first 15 rounds and trailing teammate Marc Marquez by 250 points in the championship. This in-depth analysis uncovers the technical and mental factors behind his struggles, based on performance data and official statements.

Compiled from official MotoGP sources and interviews with Gigi Dall'Igna and Davide Tardozzi, this article ensures factual accuracy and reliability without added speculation.

Braking and Cornering Setbacks

Bagnaia frequently cites difficulties controlling the bike during hard braking and corner entry, leaving him vulnerable to overtakes. Davide Tardozzi, Ducati team director, explains that engine changes in the GP25 disrupted weight distribution, hindering Bagnaia's aggressive style. "He struggles to brake hard like he did with the GP24," Tardozzi noted after the Mugello Grand Prix in June 2025, where Bagnaia missed the podium despite local support.

Gigi Dall'Igna, Ducati general manager, adds that Bagnaia's discomfort stems from a lack of confidence in the bike's front end. Smooth braking leads to understeer, particularly at tracks like Mugello and Red Bull Ring. At the Austrian Grand Prix in August 2025, Bagnaia finished eighth after starting second, trailing Marquez by 12 seconds. Consequently, the team is analyzing telemetry data to find a solution, though Tardozzi stresses Bagnaia's need for a positive mindset.

Technical Issues with Desmosedici GP25

Several technical problems with the GP25 have impacted Bagnaia's performance. First, rapid rear tire wear and severe vibrations on straights, affecting front braking, have persisted since winter testing. This issue disrupted his sprint race in Austria, despite strong practice sessions. Jorge Martin, his 2024 rival, observed that Bagnaia "lost his braking edge," signaling a mismatch with 2025 Michelin tires.

Second, the smaller fuel tank used in sprint races alters bike balance, affecting corner entry. Bagnaia admits his sprint performances lag behind main races, as a full tank offers better front-end stability. At the Catalan Grand Prix in September 2025, he climbed to seventh from 21st using Marquez's swingarm setup, showing slight progress but still trailing by 1 second per lap in the sprint.

Third, electronic issues, such as false tire pressure warnings, surfaced in races like Hungary, adding to his frustration. Dall'Igna remarked, "We've held intensive engineering meetings to address this," post-Austria, affirming that while the GP25 is superior overall, it doesn't suit Bagnaia's style.

Mental Pressure and Adaptation Challenges

Bagnaia has lost the riding sensation he had with the GP24, impacting his confidence. He spent the summer break reviewing past races, concluding that the GP25 doesn't support his braking and cornering style. Marquez advised him to "start fresh" at each circuit, as shared in a Ducati internal video before the San Marino Grand Prix in September 2025.

Marquez's dominance, with five double wins including Mugello, has intensified psychological pressure. Analysts like Martin describe Bagnaia as "not himself," and Dall'Igna points to a "mental block" as the core issue, given Marquez's successful adaptation to the GP25. "He lacks Marquez's confidence," Dall'Igna said after Catalan. Tensions in the Bagnaia-Ducati relationship have surfaced, though the team remains committed.

Adaptation struggles are also critical; the GP25 was homologated due to Marquez's testing pace, prompting Ducati to choose it over the GP24. Without Marquez, Bagnaia might have stayed competitive, but now he battles alone among three GP25s on the grid.

Bagnaia's challenges stem from the GP25's technical mismatch with his riding style, compounded by mental pressure. His seventh-place finish in Barcelona signals progress, yet he remains 55 points behind Alex Marquez for second. Ducati, via Tardozzi, is confident in finding solutions, and Bagnaia aims to regain his riding feel for better results.

With 2027 rules freezing development, Bagnaia has a strong chance to return to championship form if adaptation succeeds. Close collaboration with Ducati's technical team will be key. This analysis highlights Bagnaia's talent and team support as critical to overcoming these hurdles.