Francesco Bagnaia Speaks Honestly on Marquez and Difficult 2025 Season

Francesco Bagnaia has spoken candidly about what he describes as one of the most difficult seasons of his MotoGP career, while also addressing his working relationship with Marc Marquez inside the Ducati Lenovo Team garage. The Italian rider shared his reflections during an appearance on the Supernova podcast hosted by Alessandro Cattelan.

Bagnaia admitted that the 2025 campaign marked a sharp contrast to the four previous seasons, in which he consistently finished first or second in the world championship. A lack of consistency and fading confidence gradually pushed him away from genuine title contention.

“It’s good to stop and reflect; it really helps, especially after a difficult season like this,” Bagnaia said.
“This year we couldn’t find the balance to be fast consistently, and I felt more like an outsider than a championship contender.”

Baca Juga:Jorge Lorenzo Yakin Pecco Bagnaia Bangkit 2026

Facing the overall situation, Bagnaia acknowledged that responsibility did not lie solely with external factors. He openly accepted that some critical moments were compromised by his own performances, alongside a number of unfortunate incidents.

“I didn’t feel good because I realised we could have done more, but in some cases I wasn’t performing at the right moment,” he explained.
“If I find myself in a similar situation next year, I will be more prepared.”

Bagnaia then revisited patterns from previous seasons, recalling how poor early-season decisions in 2022 left him trailing heavily before a remarkable comeback to claim the title. In 2023, he alternated between wins, podiums, and zero-point finishes, a trend that continued into 2024 and ultimately cost him another championship.

“Since the introduction of sprint races, you have to push from Friday morning,” Bagnaia said.
“If you don’t, you often end up in race situations where mistakes can happen.”

One of the most challenging aspects of 2025 for Bagnaia was repeatedly finding himself buried in the midfield pack during the opening laps, something he described as completely unfamiliar territory.

“This year I found myself starting from behind several times, to the point that I called it a madhouse,” he admitted.
“A tenth of a second per lap can make the difference between starting third or eighth, and that completely changes your race approach.”

Bagnaia also touched on the emotional weight of racing, particularly when serious on-track incidents occur. He referenced how traumatic events can deeply affect focus, drawing parallels with the tragedy involving Jason Dupasquier in 2021.

“In 2021 I didn’t win the title because a rider died at Mugello and I made a stupid mistake,” Bagnaia said.
“As a sensitive person, it’s extremely difficult to regain concentration after moments like that.”

Turning to his relationship with Marquez at Ducati, Bagnaia firmly dismissed any suggestion of tension within the garage, instead describing a professional and respectful working dynamic.

“I’ve never had major problems; I get along with everyone,” Bagnaia explained.
“When you have a rider with the charisma of Marc Marquez in the garage, you have two options: you argue or you get along. Our relationship is very good.”

Bagnaia also compared Ducati’s development philosophy with Marquez’s previous experience at Honda, particularly in how technical direction is managed.

“At Honda, development was fully focused on Marquez, making him the only rider truly competitive on that bike,” he said.
“At Ducati, the method is different. Here, you can follow two paths at the same time.”

As an example, Bagnaia revealed that Ducati worked with two different fairing specifications during the season to suit both riders.

“We worked with two different fairing specifications,” Bagnaia concluded.
“I prefer the bike’s handling, while he prefers a fairing that shifts more load toward the rear.”

Bagnaia’s comments provide rare insight into the technical, psychological, and human challenges behind a difficult MotoGP season, while also underlining the evolving dynamics inside Ducati’s garage as the team balances two elite riders.

What do you think, Sportikers?
Can Bagnaia rediscover his championship form alongside Marquez at Ducati? Share your thoughts in the comments below !