Francesco Bagnaia wrapped up the Sepang MotoGP test with a promising sprint simulation, though it wasn’t flawless. The Ducati factory rider aimed to improve on his disappointing 2025 season by outperforming his teammate and reigning champion Marc Marquez after 10 laps.
However, Gresini’s Alex Marquez, riding another GP26, proved even quicker, finishing the sprint 1.385 seconds ahead of Bagnaia. The Italian rider acknowledged where he faced challenges during the run.
“As far as simulating the sprint, it went well,” Bagnaia commented. “In the last three laps, we lost some pace and struggled to maintain front tire consistency. We’re working on solutions.” He added that overall he was satisfied with the test, both in terms of development and performance, except for the time attack which he felt might have been too aggressive.
Bagnaia concluded the test fifth overall and revealed he had shifted his approach away from chasing a standout ‘magic’ lap time. “In recent years, I always aimed for a ‘magic’ time attack during testing, but I realized going all out might not be the best strategy,” he explained. He noted some key improvements are still needed before the Thailand race, primarily related to aerodynamics and fairing, which they studied closely during test sessions.
Looking ahead, Bagnaia remains cautious and is reserving final judgments until the Buriram test in Thailand. “That test is pivotal for me. While Sepang is a track where I am generally competitive, Thailand proved really challenging last year,” he said. “We’ve basically settled on the 2026 bike, which feels better than last year’s. The Buriram test will focus on checking the swingarm and fairing.” The final pre-season test takes place on February 21st and 22nd, a week before the Thailand opener.
Fan Take: Bagnaia’s steady progress and strategic focus on consistency over outright speed signals a mature approach that could shake up the 2026 season. For racing fans, this development hints at a fiercely competitive year ahead, especially with Ducati’s evolving package pushing the limits on and off the track.
