Francesco Bagnaia qualified fourth for the Grand Prix of Aragon on Saturday. While it’s a solid showing in the context of his season, he was still six-tenths adrift of pole-sitting teammate Marc Marquez.
Bagnaia came into the event 72 points behind the sister Ducati, and nearly 50 adrift of second-place Alex Marquez. Any title hopes are vanishing quickly.
No matter what he tries, he can’t seem to make a breakthrough with the GP25. Ducati are growing impatient with Bagnaia’s complaints about the bike.
Bagnaia has even been linked to Yamaha despite the fact that his contract runs until the end of 2026. Even if the rumour is unfounded, it arguably reflects the Italian’s falling stock.
Addressing the speculation at Aragon, Bagnaia said Ducati want him to stay. He’s spent his entire premier-class career on Desmosedici motorcycles.
Pedro Acosta certain that Francesco Bagnaia will regain top form at Ducati
Bagnaia has found a surprising ally in KTM rider Pedro Acosta. The Spaniard was asked about the Yamaha story in his press briefing, with Motosan in attendance.
Acosta accepts that Bagnaia, whose one and only victory this year came at the Americas GP when Marquez went down, is enduring a ‘difficult’ period. But he cautioned against short memories.
After all, the 28-year-old is a two-time world champion who in 2022 delivered Ducati’s first crown since Casey Stoner’s 2007 triumph. Acosta is adamant he will return to his best in red, despite the ‘bar counter’ rumours.
“Ultimately, he’s not going through a good time,” the Shark of Mazarron said. “But you have to understand that he was the one who gave them the world championship, the first Ducati champion since Stoner, the one who has defended the number one title on the fairing for three consecutive years.
“And last year wasn’t so good, and this year isn’t so bad. Let me explain that all riders have difficult moments in racing; no racing career has been all about victories. So, Pecco will return to being the Pecco he is. Rumours like that seem like they’re just from a bar counter, perhaps.”
Marc Marquez makes brutal Francesco Bagnaia admission at the Aragon Grand Prix
Coming into the year, Marquez was calling Bagnaia the title favourite. He was far more experienced on Ducati motorcycles, and deeply embedded within the team.
Now, though, the Ant of Cervera says he’s not even ‘looking’ across the garage. Instead, his focus is on his brother, statistically the biggest threat to his title hopes.
“I already said in Jerez that my brother is the strongest rival,” he said, as quoted by Motorsport Espana. “People think I do it to put pressure on one or the other, but I say what I feel.
“Right now he is the most consistent, strongest rival, and the results show that. He is a very versatile, very consistent rider who is fast on all types of circuits and in all situations.”
“I’m not interested in what might be happening to Pecco; I don’t look at him. I focus on my side of the pits, on getting 100% of what I have, and I look at who is the second fastest rider on a Ducati, which is Alex. I don’t know what Pecco is testing.”
Neil Hodgson has told Bagnaia to leave Ducati because there’s ‘no point’ staying while Marquez is around. He can change his approach, but if there’s a fundamental difference in talent, he may ultimately be powerless.
