Ducati warned the ‘real problem’ with Francesco Bagnaia is still to come after being destroyed by Marc Marquez

Add as preferred source on Google

Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia crumbled in his kingdom while Marc Marquez did the double at Mugello, with the Spaniard’s Sprint and Italian Grand Prix wins in Tuscany.

Mugello had been one of the best tracks on the calendar for Bagnaia in recent terms, having won the Italian GP in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Turin native also won the Sprint in 2023 and 2024. Yet Ducati only saw Bagnaia get third in the Sprint and fourth in the Italian GP in 2025.

Such was his plight in the Sprint last Saturday that Bagnaia conceded the Ducati rider ‘can’t’ attack corners how he wants ‘anymore’ after watching how Marquez rode the GP25 around Mugello. Bagnaia had understeer in the Italian GP last Sunday, which added to his problems.

He now goes to another of the 28-year-old’s best tracks, the TT Circuit Assen, for the Dutch Grand Prix this week. Like the Italian GP, Bagnaia won the Dutch GP in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Ducati pilot also did the double at Assen in the 2024 MotoGP season from pole position.

Ducati have been warned the ‘real problem’ in 2025 is that Francesco Bagnaia could look to leave

Doing the double at the Italian GP even means Marquez has won eight Sprint Races and five Grand Prix from the first nine rounds since he joined Bagnaia at Ducati. The 32-year-old also leads the 2025 riders’ standings with 270 points to Alex Marquez on 230 and Pecco on 160.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number

So, Riccardo Ceccarelli, the head of Formula Medicine, feels the mental drain might yet see Bagnaia consider leaving Ducati. It is not a ‘humiliation’ to lose to Marquez while he bids to match Valentino Rossi as a seven-time premier class champion, yet it will hurt losing Ducati.

Ceccarelli told Motorsport.it: “I think this is the real problem. At this stage, there is not only Marquez in front of you because you have not found the right confidence with the bike. He is a multiple champion, and it is not a humiliation to arrive behind him by a few seconds.

“The problem is the others because, last year, Alex Marquez was always beaten. There is not just a hill to climb, but a real mountain. And maybe it is worth climbing another mountain.

“I would not be surprised if he felt like going elsewhere to find his own identity, especially if you have the feeling that the situation will not change.

“Until yesterday, you had all the honours, and now you discover that it is no longer the same, even though they are supporting you. It is inevitable to lose a bit of motivation, and maybe you choose to go to a smaller company that can grow with you to find a positive climate.”

Pecco Bagnaia insists he ‘will never quit’ a contract after being linked with Yamaha

While Ceccarelli feels the ‘real problem’ Ducati could face with Bagnaia is the Italian looking at leaving the Borgo Panigale brand, it would see him go back on his word. After reports put interest from Yamaha into the ether, Bagnaia insisted he will ‘never’ break out of a contract.

“That, I don’t understand,” Bagnaia said at the Aragon Grand Prix, via Crash. “When there’s a signed contract, like I said on Thursday at Silverstone [in relation to Jorge Martin leaving Aprilia], I will never quit what I signed. This is something that will never change in my life.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Ducati from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy

“I want to stay at Ducati [and] Ducati want me to stay until the finish of this contract, and also the next one. So, I don’t know why. I started hearing a lot [and] seeing a lot of posts of me with blue leathers… But it’s not what is happening to me.”

Bagnaia has a £6m a year contract with Ducati through 2026, which can rise to £8.5m after bonuses. But his struggles so far this season drew claims that Yamaha see Bagnaia as their forbidden dream for 2026, should he and Ducati mutually agree to part ways after this year.

It has even been said that Aprilia could have a chance to replace Jorge Martin with Bagnaia for the 2026 season. The reigning MotoGP riders’ champion, who beat Bagnaia to the 2024 title, is keen to jump ship amid interest from Honda despite only joining Aprilia this season.