Pecco Bagnaia has admitted that Ducati’s 2025 MotoGP bike struggles have worsened to the extent that it has become “one of the worst” on the grid, impacting his ability to defend his position. The challenges with the GP25 are well-known, and the two-time world champion has already accepted that competing against his new teammate Marc Marquez for this year’s title is unlikely.
Bagnaia explained that the Italian bikes have become slower and he’s having trouble entering corners as he wants. He feels the weak braking makes it easier for other racers to overtake him, which is a big change from before when he prided himself on fending off challengers. Since the Thailand race, Bagnaia has consistently complained about braking and corner entry issues.
He told SkyItalia, “I used to be very hard to pass, or at least anyone who tried would end up getting bigger, but now it’s the opposite. I’m one of the worst – everyone brakes later than me, and I can’t brake hard enough. I struggle because when I brake hard, someone overtakes me on the straight, or I run wide. It’s confusing because I can’t stop the bike the way I want, and braking gently makes turning difficult.”
With Marquez pulling ahead, Bagnaia revealed that he still hopes to continue his streak of finishing in the top two of the championship since 2021. Alex Marquez of Gresini is currently second with 48 points during the summer break, but Bagnaia believes there’s still roughly 10 weeks left to close the gap.
Although the 2025 season has been tough, Bagnaia remains confident the team will solve their issues and improve as the season goes on. “I don’t feel fully comfortable with this year’s bike yet, but I understand the project,” he said, noting he has one win this season. “We are trying everything we can, but there’s nothing yet to improve that weak part. The bike’s DNA doesn’t perfectly match my style. We need patience and to change our approach and goals this season.”
He added, “We used to aim to win championships, but now we have to be realistic. It’s hard to think about fighting Marc for the title in this condition. We need to start from where we are, try to keep up with Alex ahead of me, and continue improving through the end while preparing for next year.”
Fan Take: Bagnaia’s candid admission highlights the high stakes and intense technical challenges in MotoGP, reminding fans that even top teams face tough seasons. This situation could shake up the championship battle and push Ducati to innovate, potentially leading to exciting advancements and tighter competition in future races.
