As the 2025 MotoGP season draws to a close, tensions are rising within the Ducati camp. Pecco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion in the red jersey, saw his hopes of a championship podium finish dashed after another nightmarish weekend in Portugal. However, according to Davide Tardozzi, team manager of Ducati Lenovo, the Italian manufacturer has already "done everything" to restore his confidence.
In Portimao, bagnaia He struggled to find his rhythm: eighth in the sprint, then crashed in the main race while in fourth place on lap 11. This latest retirement drops him to fourth in the championship, 35 points behind. Marco Bezzecchi (third) and only three points ahead Peter Acosta before the final round in Valencia.
An unthinkable scenario just a few weeks ago for the man who had dominated 2023, but whose connection with the GP25 seems to have broken down.
Davide Tardozzi He was keen to defend his driver while acknowledging the team's limitations in resolving the problem:
« Bagnaia's speed has never been questioned It is this lack of confidence with his motorcycle that complicates his task. " he explained to Sky Italy.
« We did everything to put it back in the same condition as last year or during the race against Japan »
But the Italian engineer admits that Ducati reaches the limit of what it can offer:
« We believe we have done everything possible; if something is still missing, we will have to talk and clarify the why and the how to reach a conclusion »
This season, the difficulties of bagnaia contrast sharply with the brilliant performances of his teammate Marc Marquez, now the favorite to win a seventh world title. A situation that is fueling internal tensions, especially since bagnaia struggles to take advantage of a motorcycle that many consider to be the most complete on the grid.
Pecco Bagnaia: “ We need to find a solution for the future »
Nevertheless, the Turin native remains clear-headed about the situation:
« I know what I can do and what the team can do. Unfortunately, we are missing somethingand we must find a solution for the future »
He pursues : " It's quite difficult to understand.And the team is working on it. I think we did a good job this weekend, like in Sepang. We need to keep it up, but These are not the results we want.We want to fight for victory. »
And even though he refuses to blame the motorcycle, he acknowledges an inability to fully exploit its potential:
« I think that the best motorcycle remains the DucatiIn every respect: reliability, handling, aerodynamics. But this year, I'm struggling to exploit the full potential of this motorcycle. »
Le Valencia Grand Prix It will therefore be much more than just a final: it will be a revelation. Ducati gave everything to restore calm to his champion, but if bagnaia Failing to regain its form, the 2025 season could mark a turning point in the internal balance of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
And if the Ducati is still "the best motorcycle on the grid" MotoGPIt becomes clear that trust is no longer present.
