Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati struggles may continue into 2026 due to one Dorna decision made last season

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With the 14th round of the 2025 MotoGP season now upon us, time is running out for Francesco Bagnaia to get to grips with the Ducati’s current spec GP25 and show that he can compete alongside the high-flying Marc Marquez.

Marquez has nearly double the amount of points as his Ducati teammate, with Bagnaia’s current tally of 221 points being 197 points behind the Spaniard’s championship-leading total of 418.

Bagnaia encountered issues at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, hindering his opportunity to close the gap on Marquez. The Italian went into the race weekend optimistic, as he had previously dominated at the Red Bull Ring in previous years by winning all three of the previous editions of the race.

He seemed defeated before the lights even went out for racing conditions. Despite qualifying ahead of his teammate, Bagnaia still expected Marquez to be leading the race after turn one, which showed how low in confidence the two-time world champion is at the moment.

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

MotoGP’s engine freeze for 2026 may mark a continuation of Francesco Bagnaia’s woes

If Bagnaia doesn’t turn things around soon, he could be facing another year of the same struggles during the 2026 season as well.

In a paddock report by Motorsport-Magazin, journalist Markus Zorweg highlighted the dangers that Bagnaia is facing with the upcoming season due to his inability to gel with the GP25 and Dorna’s decision to freeze the engine regulations before new ones come into effect in 2027.

“Bagnaia admitted he can’t get comfortable with the GP25. He can’t push the way he wants, and that’s tough with the engine freeze coming for 2026, meaning next year’s bike won’t change much either.

“That could mean two very difficult seasons for him, 2025 and 2026.

“Asked if that might lead to a manufacturer switch for 2027, Bagnaia firmly denied it. At least for now, leaving Ducati is not something he’s thinking about.”

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

Francesco Bagnaia is adamant that he doesn’t want to return to the older spec GP24

After the conclusion of the Italian Grand Prix in June, Bagnaia was ‘relieved’ to find out that he is able to return to the GP24 due to the homologation rules put in place by Dorna.

However, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Bagnaia was asked by GPOne about the possibility of returning to the GP24 to cure the issues that he has been facing this season with the GP25.

Bagnaia sternly replied, “No, also because it’s something I don’t want to do.”

The Italian rider was highly successful atop the 2024 spec Ducati bike last season, coming within an inch of securing his third consecutive world title in the premier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

He missed out on the championship to Jorge Martin by 10 points, who was on the same machinery as a member of Ducati’s satellite team, Pramac Racing. Despite the lack of a title, Bagnaia can be proud of his performances last year, winning 11 Grands Prix to Martin’s three.