Francesco Bagnaia says Ducati are trying something ‘never’ seen before at the Japanese Grand Prix

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Francesco Bagnaia comes into the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi in need of a positive weekend. The Italian has been suffering in 2025, while his teammate can wrap up the title on Sunday.

Marc Marquez has to outscore his brother Alex Marquez by three points at Motegi to win the championship. He has won 25 races, including Sprints, and has 512 points, while Bagnaia has 237 points and one win.

The two-time MotoGP champion has struggled to adapt to the GP25 after moving from the GP24, which he won 11 races with last season. Complaining about a lack of feeling, notably in braking, he has been largely outperformed by his fellow Ducati riders.

Senior figures at Ducati say Bagnaia has an unacceptable ‘problem’ in that he is getting beaten by riders on last year’s bike. Luigi Dall’Igna says Ducati are losing patience with Bagnaia as they apply pressure on him to grab results.

The Italian has not finished in the top five of a race since the summer break, scoring no points in Sprint races in that time. Bagnaia is desperate to find a solution, and Ducati are bringing something very different to Motegi.

Francesco Bagnaia says Ducati will try something ‘never’ seen before with his bike at Motegi

The 28-year-old was given a helping hand at the San Marino GP by Casey Stoner, who gave detailed feedback in the Ducati garage. Bagnaia wishes Stoner were around ‘more often’ to give him pointers.

Following the race, Bagnaia took part in the final in-season test of 2025 at Misano. Ducati experimented with the Italian’s GP25, and it seemed to bring positive feelings.

Speaking to Sky Italia at Motegi, he did not detail exactly what the Borgo Panigale outfit had changed. However, it was something that had ‘never been done’ before, and Bagnaia seemed happy with its results.

Asked if Ducati would use what they had in the Misano test, Bagnaia replied: “We’ll definitely try. I know Ducati tried to ensure the path they followed was the same as the Misano tests.

“It’s a bit unconventional; it wasn’t easy to imagine it could be used here, but they succeeded: we’ll work in that direction there.”

Asked to elaborate further on what he meant by ‘unconventional’, he explained: “It’s a type of work that has never been done.” Talking about whether he would bring it to Motegi, the Ducati rider concluded: “Not totally, but partly, yes.”

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

Motegi has been a strong track for Francesco Bagnaia in the past

The Japanese Grand Prix is an opportunity for Bagnaia to get some points on the board and have a strong weekend. Motegi has been a good track for the Italian in recent years.

He claimed the Sprint and Grand Prix wins in 2024 over Jorge Martin and Marquez and finished second in 2023. It is one of his stronger circuits on the calendar, but his Ducati teammate boasts a far more impressive record.

The Italian will certainly find it tough beating the Spaniard this weekend, as has been the case this season. Andrea Dovizioso says Marquez has hurt Bagnaia’s ‘ego’ with his performances, as he now assumes the role of lead rider at Ducati.

With Marquez looking guaranteed to win the championship, Bagnaia will be focused on keeping hold of P3 in the standings. He is facing increasing pressure from Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta behind.