Francesco Bagnaia’s gap to Marc Marquez could ‘widen further’ in 2026 due to Ducati development choice

Add as preferred source on Google

Francesco Bagnaia would have known he was in for a huge challenge in 2025 when Marc Marquez signed for Ducati. But he would not have expected to struggle as much as he has.

In fact, Bagnaia backed himself to win the championship, while Marquez had a more modest approach to the season. The Italian lost the 2024 title to Jorge Martin by 10 points, despite winning 11 out of 20 races, and was keen to reclaim his crown.

While Ducati have remained the dominant force in MotoGP, having wrapped up the constructors’ title at the Catalan Grand Prix, the two-time champion has been left behind. Bagnaia has struggled with the GP25, constantly complaining about a lack of feeling.

The 28-year-old has contributed only 25 points to Ducati’s title success thus far, having won at Austin after Marquez crashed from the lead. The Spaniard has been better suited to the GP25, winning 10 Grand Prix and 14 Sprints after 15 race weekends.

Ducati have held ‘very serious’ meetings with Bagnaia as they try to find a solution to his problems with the bike. But he seems to be getting more despondent as the races go by, having suffered arguably his worst weekend of the season at Montmelo.

Francesco Bagnaia’s gap to Marc Marquez could ‘widen further’ as the GP26 will be ‘even more tailored’ to his teammate

Bagnaia qualified in 21st at the Catalan GP, marking his worst result in three years. He could only manage 14th in the Sprint, before climbing through the field to a respectable seventh on Sunday.

Bagnaia used Marquez’s swingarm during the Grand Prix, which looked to have improved his feeling. Yet, he still finished more than 14 seconds behind his teammate in P2, as he now sits 250 points behind him in the standings.

Paddock figures think Bagnaia would be second on the GP24 this season behind Marquez, but on the GP25, he faces losing P3 to Marco Bezzecchi or Pedro Acosta. Ducati have tried to find solutions, but they could now be set to head in the other direction.

In a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, those inside the Ducati garage have said: “We’ve tried everything for the rider, to no avail, now it’s up to him to do something.” Bagnaia’s relationship with the team is on a ‘slippery slope’ and his form has hampered his influence on the team.

Given Marquez’s dominance, Bagnaia will ‘not have the same say in technical development’ in 2026. The GP26 will be ‘even more tailored’ to his teammate, which could see the gap between the riders ‘widen further’ next year.

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

Ducati’s decision with the GP26 heightens the reasons why Francesco Bagnaia should leave the team

Amid his struggles in 2025, there was shock speculation earlier in the season that Bagnaia could leave the Borgo Panigale outfit, with Yamaha being linked. However, Ducati shut down the rumours, stating that they intend to keep him for 2026.

But the Italian has been getting more and more frustrated as he runs out of ideas to fix his issues with the GP25. Bagnaia stated he was ‘running out of patience’ with Ducati in Austria, adding fuel to the fire that he could leave the manufacturer.

Carlo Pernat thinks Yamaha could ‘tempt’ Bagnaia away from Ducati as he struggles immensely against Marquez. A switch of manufacturer could be what he needs to beat the Spaniard, as doing so on equal machinery has proved impossible for him.

Bagnaia wants to stay at Ducati for his entire career. But with his current struggles, which could get worse thanks to Marquez’s influence on the team’s development, a new chapter in MotoGP may be a wise decision.