I had high expectations for Pecco Bagnaia's first Grand Prix of 2026. The Italian, who seemed like a new man in interviews, had hinted that he really liked the Desmosedici GP26. He was even more complimentary about his new bike than Marc Marquez, which says a lot. So, how did he do with it at Buriram?
A very discreet Bagnaia
Frankly, I wasn't impressed by his performance. In fact, from Friday onwards, we realized there wasn't much difference compared to the end of last year. First, Bagnaia didn't qualify directly for Q2, and then, in Q1, he failed to finish in the top two. Naturally, starting from thirteenth place, there was no reason to hope for a miracle.
Bagnaia says he's still more comfortable in a pack, as well as under braking. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
During the races, things were a little better. Ninth in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, he at least had the merit of crossing the finish line, which is already better than what he was offering a few months ago. So, yes, in the press conference, he tries the power of positive thinking, and seems calmer, less worried about his situation. I agree, but in reality, it's still not exceptional.
It shouldn't be forgotten that he had a much better start to 2025, with two third-place finishes in Thailand, behind the Marquez brothers. He had also performed well in Argentina, and won on Sunday in the United States following his teammate's crash. Now, if we momentarily disregard the positive feelings experienced by the Italian and focus more on the cold, hard results, His ninth-place finishes are far from convincing.
Fiercer competition
I would also like to draw your attention to an essential point, namely, his competitors, not to mention Marc Marquez. In 2025, throughout the year, he was slightly better than Fabio Di Giannantonio. "Diggia" was clearly superior to him over the weekend. If you look at last year's results, it wasn't that common. Furthermore, the Aprilia seems to be much stronger. Bezzecchi was a cut above Marc Marquez (so three cuts above Bagnaia)And, above all, watch out for Raul Fernandez, who has been very dangerous since the last overseas tour. We must also consider the return of Jorge Martin, a driver I greatly admire and who proved himself in 2024. that he could rival Bagnaia.
Does Gigi Dall'Igna have a solution for his driver? Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Not to mention potential outsiders like Mir, Marini, or Ogura, and without knowing the current form of the injured Fermin Aldeguer, That's a lot of drivers who can overshadow Bagnaia.In 2025, when he was on form (Motegi, Sepang…), the aforementioned factors couldn't threaten him, especially since he had a superior bike to most of the field. That's no longer the case, and to be honest, it worries me quite a bit.
However, it's also worth noting that Alex Marquez struggled in Thailand; in many ways, he was even less impressive than Bagnaia over the three days, considering the performances we've come to expect from him. So, this is definitely something to watch, because I still believe in Pecco's potential. I remain convinced that he hasn't lost all his talent in twelve months; that's simply impossible. Will he rediscover it on the Desmosedici GP26? I don't think so, unfortunately, but I would be very happy if he signed with Aprilia as the rumor suggests.Alongside his friend Bezzecchi and in what appears to be a very healthy environment, I don't see why he couldn't shine again.
I'm curious to know what you thought of Pecco Bagnaia's weekend. Does it worry you? Tell me in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
Alex Marquez may have had a dip in form; I'll talk about it again if it's confirmed. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
