Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia has taken a beating at Ducati in 2025 as he struggles to keep up with Marc Marquez on the GP25.
The two-time MotoGP champion has not got to grips with the new Desmosedici, constantly complaining about a lack of feeling. Bagnaia has won just one race in 2025, coming in Austin after Marquez crashed from the lead.
The Spaniard has dominated the 2025 campaign, winning 10 Grands Prix and 14 Sprints. Bagnaia is 250 points behind his Ducati teammate as he sits third in the standings behind Alex Marquez.
Ducati have tried to support the 28-year-old and work on solutions for his issues with the GP25. However, certain changes, such as heavier brake discs and a radical setup change at Balaton Park, have brought little improvement.
The Catalan Grand Prix was arguably his worst weekend of the season as he qualified in 21st. Managing only P14 in the Sprint, Bagnaia produced a solid recovery ride to finish seventh on Sunday.
Franco Morbidelli says Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner are proof that you can win without a ‘competitive mentality’
Bagnaia used Marquez’s swingarm at the Catalan GP, which seemed to improve his feeling on the bike. But the Italian is getting more despondent as the weeks go by, as he cannot find the right balance.
Bagnaia said he was ‘running out of patience’ to find ways to fix his issues in 2025. He has looked mentally drained this season, but his team are not giving up, as Luigi Dall’Igna says Ducati owe Bagnaia for the success he has given them.
The 28-year-old is one of the more relaxed riders in the paddock, which, as Franco Morbidelli notes, has allowed him to dominate the field in recent seasons.
Speaking via Speedweek, the VR46 rider says he shares the same non-competitive ‘mentality’ as Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner. They have proof that having a competitive mindset is not ‘decisive’ for success.
Asked if an aggressive attitude is needed to win in MotoGP, Morbidelli replied: “A clear no – I don’t think so. There are situations where you have to fight hard, it’s part of the game. Certainly several times a year.
“But this competitive mentality is not decisive for success over the course of the year. The best example is Pecco, who has dominated for two years and is a tough competitor. He is no exception – Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner also managed to achieve great success without a pronounced competitive mentality.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Franco Morbidelli has offered his advice to Francesco Bagnaia amid 2025 Ducati struggles
With Bagnaia’s chances of victory in 2025 being non-existent, he will now be looking to salvage the best finish he can and try to get some feeling out of the GP25.
Morbidelli says Bagnaia’s ‘answer’ is to work hard and continue to put in the effort behind the scenes. He has been working tirelessly to improve his situation, but it seems he and the team have exhausted their options.
Valentino Rossi could ‘coach’ Bagnaia in the final races of the season. He could be the perfect guide for the Italian, but the reality is that it will be almost impossible to catch Marquez on the same bike.
Things could even get worse in 2026, as the GP26 will be ‘even more tailored’ to Marquez. The 32-year-old’s dominance has given him more influence at Ducati, which should be a huge worry for Bagnaia’s future.
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