Marco Bezzecchi
Carlo Pernat thinks there could be some “surprises” at Ducati after Francesco Bagnaia fell short, again, by crashing in the 2025 MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika.
The 28-year-old fell straight back down to earth last weekend following his victory from pole position only seven days earlier at Motegi. Ducati saw Bagnaia win the Sprint and Grand Prix in Japan, but the Italian failed to back up his triumphs during any session around Mandalika.
Bagnaia would only manage P16 in qualifying for the Indonesian GP, which then preceded a bleak P14 finish in the Mandalika Sprint as the final rider running at the chequered flag. The two-time champion’s plight persisted in the feature race, too, as he crashed on Lap 9 of 27.
Such was his plight that Bagnaia demanded answers from Ducati after the Mandalika Sprint, as the Turin native believed his Desmosedici GP25 was “dangerous” to ride. He faced a host of problems last Saturday, such as “unstoppable movements” on the bike and a brake issue.
Carlo Pernat tells Ducati to explore trading Francesco Bagnaia to Aprilia for Jorge Martin
It was not the first time that Bagnaia has sought to speak with Ducati general manager Luigi Dall’Igna and team manager Davide Tardozzi to understand his endless woe, either. Tardozzi accepted Bagnaia’s “outburst” at Balaton Park after his P9 in August’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
But Pernat wonders how much longer Bagnaia and Ducati will put up with the situation after arguably his worst race of the 2025 MotoGP season so far at Mandalika. So, Pernat has even suggested that Ducati should seek a trade with Aprilia to replace Bagnaia with Jorge Martin.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Pernat told GPOne: “The umpteenth ugly situation in which Pecco Bagnaia fell. It seemed that everything had been fixed in Japan. It definitely did not go well [in Indonesia]. In fact, this was perhaps the worst race of all.
“Obviously, they now have to see each other to talk and look each other in the eye, especially Dall’Igna and Pecco, because if they continue like this next season there is a very big question mark.
“There could be some surprises. A Martin-Bagnaia exchange, why not? Very difficult. It’s clear that it’s a joke.
“Contracts must be respected. Bagnaia has a two-year contract, and it would be a shame if Ducati just ran away. But if things continue like this? I don’t know.”
Pecco Bagnaia emerged as an option for Aprilia as Jorge Martin tried to join Honda
Ducati rejected Martin to sign Marc Marquez to be Bagnaia’s teammate for the 2025 and ‘26 seasons, which led the 27-year-old to ditch Pramac and join Aprilia on a two-year contract of his own. Dall’Igna led the decision to sign Marquez over Martin, who then won the 2024 title.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
Martin beat Bagnaia by only 10 points for the 2024 riders’ championship, yet neither has hit the heights they achieved last year over the 2025 campaign. Bagnaia’s issues with Ducati’s ride height device have plagued him all year, while Martin has struggled with lots of injuries.
Ducati and Aprilia agreeing to now trade Bagnaia and Martin for the 2026 campaign would certainly be a surprising outcome, were the Borgo Panigale brand to follow Pernat’s advice. Although Neil Hodgson has suggested that Martin might want to get back on a Ducati soon.
Bagnaia emerged as an option to replace Martin at Aprilia earlier this year, as the latter tried to trigger an exit clause in his contract, as well. But Aprilia fended off interest from Honda in Martin, with the Madrid native agreeing to honour the second year of his contract in Noale.
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