Luigi Dall’Igna shares his ‘important’ verdict on Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati position after Balaton Park

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Francesco Bagnaia had a slightly better race for Ducati at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but still isn’t where he would like to be.

The two-time MotoGP champion finished ninth in Sunday’s race, but did have to take a long lap penalty before the chequered flag.

Bagnaia’s third place in the standings looks increasingly vulnerable to Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi with every race that goes by.

Despite being on a dominant Ducati machine (in the hands of Marc Marquez), there’s a chance that he fails to lead his GP25 to a top-four finish in the championship. KTM’s Pedro Acosta is in great form and could pass him, too.

Bagnaia wants to ‘crush’ one Ducati rumour, and is probably looking forward to the winter break already, when he can set about making some more mechanical changes to his bike.

However, Bagnaia has been warned Ducati will ‘run out of patience’ if he fails to give them a glimmer of hope over the final eight events of the season.

READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia causes a worrying realisation after the Ducati rider ‘blew it’ at Balaton Park

Luigi Dall’Igna has ‘hope’ for Francesco Bagnaia after ‘important’ Ducati change at Balaton Park

Bagnaia’s ‘main issue’ was just exposed, and it’s something which has been bugging him for a while. He is not comfortable under braking this year.

His lack of confidence in the front end of his GP25 is contributing to a lack of pace. He managed just 15th in qualifying at Balaton Park.

Bagnaia’s struggles may continue into 2026, which would leave Ducati with a major decision to make. As his contract expires, will they renew his deal heading into the new regulations?

Luigi Dall’Igna has shared some optimism with Sky Sport IT, according to Motosprint, after the Hungarian Grand Prix, and believes that there is ‘hope’ that their rider is now headed in a better direction.

“Clearly, these positions are not Bagnaia’s and we know it,” he said. “But we made some important changes to the setup that seem to have led to some improvements in the race. We hope we’ve finally found the way.”

READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia now reveals Ducati’s behind-closed-doors reaction to him ‘running out of patience’

Francesco Bagnaia slams the ‘inappropriate’ reaction to his Ducati struggles

Even though he has claimed a victory this season, Bagnaia is on his longest run without a win since he joined Ducati’s factory operation in 2021.

Seeing him struggle so much and not be in title contention is strange, and the reaction of some fans has gone too far.

Bagnaia slammed the ‘inappropriate’ reaction to his Ducati struggles ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and does not think that outsiders have been fair to him.

The two-time champion commands respect, and there’s a good reason why he claimed victory in 11 Grands Prix last year. That form can be rediscovered, but he may need a winter off to find it.