An explosive rumor is circulating in the MotoGP paddock and could explain Ducati's continued silence surrounding Francesco Pecco Bagnaia's spectacular resurrection in Japan. According to journalist Mat Oxley, high-ranking sources are suggesting the use of not a hybrid bike, but a complete GP24, including the 2024 engine – which would constitute a flagrant violation of the technical regulations. Francesco Pecco Bagnaia went from absolute zero to dominating Motegi in one weekend. Pole, landslide victory, renewed confidence… a mechanical miracle that smacks more of an emergency maneuver than the simple "mental click" that Ducati would like to convince us of.
The problem? Behind the scenes of the MotoGP, everyone knows that something happened in Misano. The boss of VR46, Uccio Salucci, confirmed it: bagnaia rode the Monday after the race with a GP24, the bike with which he won 11 Grands Prix last year. Ducati, she, has locked herself in an embarrassed silence. And bagnaia, forced to remain silent, admitted it half-heartedly: " I repeat what I am told to say »
Journalist Mat Oxley dropped the bombshell in Indonesia this Saturday: according to rumors " very serious » bagnaia would have driven a complete GP24 at Motegi, engine included.
If this were to come to pass, it would be a clear violation of the regulations — the 2025 engine has been approved since the start of the season, it is impossible to return to it without breaking the rule.
Ducati does not confirm anything, but his silence fuels suspicion. Worse, it weakens his double world champion: bagnaia, ordered to remain silent, must face questions from the media alone while the brand leaves him exposed.
Rumors of an illegal return to the Ducati GP24 are growing
Journalist Jack Appleyard puts forward an explosive theory: after his total shipwreck at Misano, bagnaia would have banged his fist on the table. Give me the bike I know, or I'll throw everything away. »
The next day he rides the GP24 of Franco Morbidelli, finds his rhythm again and proves that he is still capable of winning if he is given back a base that he masters. And two weeks later, a miracle: he becomes untouchable again in Japan.
Supreme irony: while Ducati celebrated his team title on Saturday, it's the controversy bagnaia that occupies all the conversations in the paddock. The collective victory is overshadowed by doubts surrounding the true status of the GP25, this bike that was supposed to be the ultimate weapon but which its rider seems to have rejected.
Ducati thought he would save his season by restoring confidence to bagnaiaShe is creating a technical and media scandal that could cost far more than a bad run of results.
As long as Borgo Panigale hides behind empty language, the rumor of an illegal return to GP24 will swell. And that's bagnaia, the one we wanted to save, who ends up alone facing suspicion. If the rumor turns out to be true, Ducati would risk severe sanctions from the FIM. The 2025 engine was approved at the beginning of the year and replacing it with a 2024 unit would constitute a major technical violation.
