Francesco Bagnaia has repeatedly spoken about a lack of ‘feeling’ on Ducati’s 2025 motorcycle. It was a concern he raised once again ahead of this weekend’s Grand Prix of France.
Bagnaia enters the Le Mans weekend third in the MotoGP championship, only 20 points off surprise leader Alex Marquez. But he’s yet to find the same level of comfort he had on the GP24.
Indeed, the success of Marquez Jr suggests that, up to now, last year’s bike has been at least on a par with its successor. There should start to be a noticeable difference now that the season has entered its European leg.
| RACE | Q | S | R |
| Thailand | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Argentina | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Americas | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Qatar | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| Spain | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Bagnaia won the Americas GP when Marc Marquez went down, but he’s only finished in the top two in one of the other nine races. He could only manage third in Jerez after losing out to Yamaha high-flier Fabio Quartararo.
Marc Marquez may now have new Ducati chassis for French Grand Prix before Francesco Bagnaia
Speaking on the Paddock Pass Podcast from the French Grand Prix, journalist Neil Morrison shared the worrying rumour he heard about Bagnaia. He may have fallen to second in the Ducati hierarchy.
There’s talk that Ducati have handed a new chassis to Marquez first, though this still needs to be confirmed. This race follows the first in-season test of the year in Jerez.
Bagnaia was used to being the no. 1 at the Bologna outfit. He had a clear edge over Jack Miller and then Enea Bastianini following his 2021 arrival.
“There is a rumour that Marc has a new chassis this weekend, and he’s maybe the only Ducati rider to have that, which is quite interesting,” Morrison said. “It’s probably a new situation for Pecco to not be the first guy getting the stuff.
“It’s gone to the other side of the box. That still needs to be confirmed, but that’s a rumour doing the rounds today.”
Luigi Dall’Igna will love how Francesco Bagnaia responded to being called disappointing
Michael Laverty heard that Bagnaia was testing a new aerodynamic package in Jerez. But it seems Ducati’s first major bike development of 2025 may go to Marquez.
If indeed the story is true, Luigi Dall’Igna will hope it motivates rather than discourages Bagnaia. If only one new chassis was available, it would be natural to prioritise the rider who’s higher up the standings.
Speaking after the Spanish GP, Dall’Igna said Bagnaia hadn’t lived up to expectations. It was perhaps the most critical comment he’s made about the Italian all year.
Asked to respond on Thursday, Bagnaia admitted that Dall’Igna was right. The Ducati boss will appreciate that humility, aware that honest introspection will be key in turning his season around.
