Three-time world champion Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia is going through a nightmare in 2025. At Balaton Park, his form crisis reached a new low: for the first time since Indonesia 2023, he missed out on a direct place in Q2 and found himself only 15th on the grid. A crushing blow for the man who, just a year ago, was fighting for victory every weekend.
The Ducati rider no longer hides his dismay: " This is the most difficult moment, absolutely, and It's been like this since the beginning of the season. Because I know I can fight for victory, for podiums. »
The Italian recalls that in 2024, his times were in line with those of this year's winners. But in 2025, the spark did not come: " I can't exploit the potential I still had in 2024. It's difficult to accept and understand; it's also difficult for the team, because they work to give me this potential, but we do not find it »
The GP25 is a beast that bagnaia fails to tame. Where Marc Marquez seems to transcend the machine, Pecco comes up against its limits, particularly when braking:
« I tried to drive like him, but I can't do it. I can't ride this bike like he does, or like I would like to. »
With a hint of bitterness, he adds: " Marc is very good at hiding problems : it would probably be fast on a tractor too »
Pecco Bagnaia: “ 50 people work at the factory on details and major solutions »
In Borgo Panigale, the mobilization is total: " 50 people work at the factory on details and major solutions ", Explain bagnaia.
But for now, only minor corrections have been implemented. And the route of the Balaton Park, with its short braking and restarts, amplified its difficulties.
The team manager Davide Tardozzi yet keep the faith. And Pecco tries to reassure himself too: " I was quite satisfied in Hungary, not of the result, but of the sensations. I was able to ride my motorcycle, and the motorcycle did not dominate me.. » A small comfort after a ninth place…
Same story on the side of Fabio Di Giannantonio, also struggling with the GP25: “ Marc, it's Marc. We're talking about a champion., so it's no surprise that he's performing well »
But the Italian puts a damper on easy comparisons: " Pecco, Marc and I ride the Ducati in completely different ways.. Even the settings are completely different, so it's hard to say whether Marc would be better or worse on our bike. But one thing is certain: he does a great job »
Pecco Bagnaia is at a turning point: find its champion DNA or suffer a season MotoGP black, eclipsed by his legendary teammate.
