Francesco Bagnaia's woes in MotoGP 2026 continued on Friday at the Red Bull Ring as the Ducati rider failed to secure a direct spot in Q2 for the fifth consecutive time. The setback forces him into Q1 on Saturday, adding to the mounting pressure on the triple world champion.
Bagnaia's struggles go beyond lap times. Since the infamous 'fuorionda' incident at Misano, scrutiny has intensified. Psychological and technical pressures seem to be piling up, leaving his performance far from expectations. Alessio Salucci, VR46 team manager, openly expressed his concern.
“It hurts to see him like this. It's as if he's forgotten how to ride, but that's not the case. He needs to stay calm and try to limit the damage, hoping this season ends as soon as possible. I see him struggling and I'm very sorry, I don't understand what's wrong,” Salucci told Sky Sport MotoGP.
Furthermore, Salucci highlighted that Bagnaia's relationship with Ducati is no longer harmonious. “The relationship with Ducati is broken, it's not like it used to be, that's clear for everyone to see,” he stated. This comment fuels speculation that their partnership is on the rocks.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia's VR46 teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio also faced difficulties on Friday. However, Salucci revealed that the GP26 performs better with a base setup. “We tried to improve but went backwards. The fastest bike is always the same. We've realized it's better to use the base we've had all year and focus on riding style. The rider's influence is greater than changing the setup,” he explained.
This approach aligns with what emerged from the off-the-record conversation between Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio. Di Giannantonio managed to return to the top 10 after reverting to the base setup. Bagnaia, however, remains mired in the same issues, and the pressure continues to build.
With the situation escalating, Bagnaia's future with Ducati is uncertain. Can the broken relationship be mended, or will it mark the end of a successful partnership? The Red Bull Ring bears witness to the depth of the crisis facing the #63 rider.
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