Pirro: No Quick Fix for Ducati's 2026 MotoGP Woes

Ducati may still be a force in MotoGP, but since late 2025 and into 2026, their dominance has faded. Michele Pirro, Ducati's test rider, has admitted there are no quick fixes for the remainder of the final 1,000cc season.

Pirro's role is now largely focused on developing the 850cc Ducati for 2027. The new Desmosedici will have its second official test at the Red Bull Ring in September, following its first 'official' (with no timing or footage) run at Brno after the Czech MotoGP. This shift in priority is clear.

"In MotoGP, nothing has changed compared to what we've seen in the first twelve races," Pirro told GPOne. "What we saw in the early races is, more or less, still the case. So, we have to take it one race at a time. Every track will be a story in itself. There are going to be tracks where, like at Silverstone, we struggled, and others where we'll face fewer difficulties. We hope to arrive in Valencia and still be able to make our mark. There's no immediate solution to the problems. We're working on them, but we consider this project to have now reached its end."

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Pirro's comments highlight a trend of the 2026 season: the front-running pecking order can change week-to-week based on circuit characteristics. One track might suit one manufacturer, while the next could flip the script. This isn't a new phenomenon, but it was somewhat forgotten during Ducati's years of near-monopoly at the front.

Even so, Pirro believes Marc Marquez can still make a difference at his favorite circuits. "We've seen that the tracks, the conditions, and the characteristics of the circuits make more of a difference than anything else," Pirro said. "So, I expect that maybe we'll be the benchmark again in Aragon. Marc could be the benchmark. Then there's Misano, which will be tough because Bezzecchi is fast. He was fast last year, too. But maybe Marc isn't far behind either. I think this World Championship really comes down to the details and, in my opinion, it could also be influenced by the mistakes of one rider rather than another, because we've seen just how fine the line is."

With the season winding down, Ducati appears to have accepted that they won't dominate as before. Their main focus is on the 850cc project, while Marquez and the team must fight hard to keep title hopes alive amidst intense competition.