Francesco Bagnaia revealed that using a larger 355mm brake disc on his factory Ducati enhanced the front-end feel during Monday’s Aragon testing. The Double World Champion had difficulty replicating his usual corner entry performance with the new GP25 bike but found improvement after trying the bigger brake disc on Sunday morning.
After being inactive for the 12th time during Saturday’s sprint, Bagnaia appeared more like his usual self, holding off Pedro A Costa who was challenging behind the Marquez brothers. When asked if this improved feeling carried over to Monday’s official test, Bagnaia confirmed it was his most positive test of the season. He set the ninth-fastest lap, only 0.697 seconds behind top Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales, and expressed growing confidence and understanding of the bike lap by lap.
Bagnaia explained the challenge with the smaller 340mm disc he used on Saturday, saying it was difficult to control the front tire and the bike didn’t stop immediately after releasing the brakes, making it hard to manage. Moving to the 355mm disc made locking the brakes easier and gave him better control; he could adjust the brakes without feeling he was driving aggressively. He noted that last year’s 340mm disc felt similar to the larger disc this season.
In addition to braking adjustments, Bagnaia, along with teammates Marc Marquez and VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio, tested the new GP25 fairing but suggested it might not be ready for the upcoming Mugello round because more time was needed for fine-tuning. Test rider Michele Pirro was also evaluating the fairing in Barcelona to gain further insights.
Bagnaia’s main concern remains achieving a comfortable bike setup, especially as the larger brake disc might require further tweaks to suit the revised aerodynamics. He also tested a new swingarm, noting the track’s grip conditions changed, which affected his performance on second-hand tires.
Despite making progress, Bagnaia admitted he isn’t quite ready to challenge for victory just yet and acknowledged that title leader Marc Marquez remains the rider to beat. He emphasized the importance of staying grounded while continuing to improve, especially with Mugello—his home Grand Prix—coming up. He expressed optimism about the next two races but cautioned that fighting for a win there might still be ambitious.
Currently positioned behind Marquez in the standings, Alex Marquez finished eighth fastest on his GP24 bike during testing.
Fan Take:
This update on Bagnaia’s testing progress is crucial for racing enthusiasts as it highlights the ongoing development and fine-tuning that top riders and teams undergo to gain competitive edges. The introduction of the larger brake disc and evolving bike setups could significantly influence how races unfold, promising tighter battles and exciting advancements in MotoGP technology.
