Luigi Dall’Igna issues damning Francesco Bagnaia verdict after miserable Austrian Grand Prix

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Francesco Bagnaia has suffered further misery at Ducati at the Austrian Grand Prix as he limped home in eighth.

Bagnaia was left ‘thinking and thinking’ over the summer break after a difficult first half of the 2025 campaign. The Italian has struggled to adapt to the GP25, while Ducati teammate Marc Marquez has dominated the championahip.

At the Austrian Grand Prix, things initially looked positive as Bagnaia outqualified Marquez for the second consecutive race. He lined up on the front row in P3 behind Alex Marquez and polesitter Marco Bezzecchi.

But the 28-year-old’s Sprint race was a disaster as he encountered wheel spin on the rear tyre and slid sideways into oncoming traffic. He fell to the back of the field before eventually retiring the bike.

It is believed that his holeshot device caused the issue, with MotoGP riders set to hold serious talks with the sport’s Safety Commission on the matter next Friday. Sunday’s race was a chance to redeem himself, but Bagnaia had another torrid event.

Luigi Dall’Igna says every race is a ‘wasted opportunity’ for Francesco Bagnaia after ‘below par’ Austrian Grand Prix

Bagnaia initially showed strong pace as he almost took the lead at the first corner. He looked to be holding his own after Marquez passed him for second.

But he soon came under threat from Pedro Acosta, and the KTM rider demoted Bagnaia to fifth when an ambitious overtake at turn nine sent the Ducati star wide.

Enea Bastianini, Joan Mir and Brad Binder also found their way past the Italian as he fell to P8. He could not capitalise on his strong pace in qualifying, and Luigi Dall’Igna was far from pleased.

Speaking with Sky Italy after the race, he stated that every weekend is a ‘wasted opportunity’ for Bagnaia as he cannot find a way to improve his woes.

“Every race is a wasted opportunity to improve,” said Dall’Igna. “He had a good weekend throughout the practice sessions.

“Yesterday he had a problem that we need to analyse, but his race today was definitely below par.”

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Francesco Bagnaia is staying positive after disappointing Austrian Grand Prix

Speaking with the same broadcaster, Bagnaia kept a positive head. While he refused to explain the reasons for his problems, he is keeping motivated as he looks to find the issue.

“I can’t and won’t go into detail,” he said. “Overall, I had a very positive weekend.

“On Friday, I was very good, especially with used tires, and I was lapping in the high 1:29s. Yesterday morning was the same, then in the Sprint, what happened happened.

“This morning, everything was perfect again, and in the race, we were back to normal. It’s a shame because, unfortunately, the potential is there. We know what we can do, but we’re a bit constrained.”