‘Multiple’ Ducati rivals have raised ‘safety concerns’ over Francesco Bagnaia’s bike before Indonesian Grand Prix

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Francesco Bagnaia returned to the top step of the MotoGP podium at Motegi as he claimed pole position and a double victory. But Sunday’s win did not come without controversy.

The Italian came into the Japanese Grand Prix having made radical changes to his GP25 after testing at Misano. Ducati ‘were not listening’ to Bagnaia’s coach about complaints of the bike shaking, until Casey Stoner intervened and found the same problem.

It is rumoured that the 28-year-old was riding with GP24 parts, but Bagnaia has not given any bike changes away. Whatever was put on the machine gave the two-time MotoGP champion more feeling as he took pole position in qualifying.

Teammate Marc Marquez secured his seventh premier class title at Motegi, but he was beaten by Bagnaia all weekend. Neil Hodgson said Bagnaia looked like his old self as he controlled the field in the Sprint and the main race, but the latter almost ended in disaster.

‘Multiple’ Ducati rivals expressed ‘safety concerns’ over Francesco Bagnaia’s smoking GP25 at Motegi

Around the midway point of the Grand Prix, Bagnaia’s bike was producing smoke from the exhaust. It was little at first, but grew as the race went on, which meant he ran the risk of being forced to retire.

Luigi Dall’Igna ‘begged’ stewards not to interfere as cameras caught the Ducati engineers speaking to members of the IRTA about the issue. Ultimately, Bagnaia was allowed to continue and the bike held out for him to claim victory.

But according to The Race, ‘multiple rival teams have expressed safety concerns’ over the decision not to bring out the black-and-orange flag for Bagnaia. This would have forced him to retire immediately on grounds that his bike was a safety hazard for himself and others.

Race control’s decision to keep the Ducati rider on track led to ‘confusion’ amongst teams in the paddock. They claim that there was ‘no way’ for the IRTA or the stewards to know what caused Bagnaia’s bike to smoke or whether it was a danger to others.

Marquez said himself that he was ‘afraid’ following Bagnaia’s bike during the race. But race control were happy to keep the Italian on track, much to the surprise of even his closest friends.

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

Marco Bezzecchi was ‘surprised’ Francesco Bagnaia was not stopped on safety grounds

Speaking ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix this weekend, Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi, a fellow product of the VR46 academy, was ‘surprised’ to see that Bagnaia was not stopped at Motegi.

“It was a strange situation, let’s say,” he said. “I saw the smoke with a couple of laps to the end. I crossed a smoke cloud, and I expected it was [Joan] Mir because he was two or three seconds in front of me.

“Then I watched the race and I understood, and for sure I was a bit surprised in terms of safety.”

The situation is sure to remain a contentious issue in Mandalika. Bagnaia will hope to continue his form at Motegi, but also not to have a repeat issue and risk a forced retirement.