Pecco Bagnaia made one comment at Mandalika that could make his relationship with Ducati ‘untenable’

Add as preferred source on Google

Francesco Bagnaia has put his Ducati relationship into question after suffering his worst weekend of the 2025 MotoGP season at Mandalika.

The Indonesian Grand Prix came just a week after Bagnaia dominated at Motegi, taking pole position and a double victory. Ducati had made radical changes to the Italian’s bike, with it being rumoured that he tested a GP24 at Misano.

It was then reported that Bagnaia raced with the GP24 at Motegi, which would explain why he was much more comfortable on the bike and blitzed the field on pure merit. Ducati insiders revealed that Bagnaia did not test the GP24, but rather parts from last year’s bike with this year’s engine.

Bagnaia is believed to have given Ducati an ‘ultimatum’ to let him use the GP24. While last year’s spec parts worked at Motegi, the 28-year-old suffered a disaster at Mandalika.

Qualifying in P16, he finished 14th and last in the Sprint, before running at the back on Sunday and crashing out from last place. Bagnaia called his performance ‘unacceptable’ as he ran two seconds down on the leaders, putting the blame on his team.

Francesco Bagnaia may have made his Ducati relationship ‘untenable’ by saying he has nothing more to prove

Bagnaia was left despondent with Ducati, wondering how he had gone from winning at Motegi to last at Mandalika. He said that he had ‘nothing more to demonstrate’ after he grabbed a double victory with the right equipment.

But the fact that he suffered a miserable weekend just seven days later with the same machine is puzzling to say the least. It makes Bagnaia’s relationship with Ducati ‘untenable’.

Journalist Valentin Khorounzhiy noted via The Race MotoGP YouTube channel: “Bagnaia said during the weekend, [he] used specifically the phrase, [it] was after a really bad Sprint, he said that he has nothing more to demonstrate.

“He meant, after I’ve won the double at Motegi, I showed what I can do when the equipment is right for me, so now it’s up to the team, basically to deliver the right equipment for me, was the gist of his message.

“That slightly conveniently ignores the rest of the season, but it falls neatly into the theory of the bike hasn’t been right at all and suddenly, the one time it’s been right, I’ve been great.

“He has reason to be entrenched, he has reason to think this isn’t his fault. He has reason to think, because of how things have gone, that he’s not getting the help from Ducati that he deserves.

“Now, the issue there, of course, is once you’re convinced of something like that, there might not be a great way out of this. And even if he wasn’t convinced of it, it’s such a performance hole on some of these weekends that it kind of becomes untenable.”

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

Is Francesco Bagnaia at the end of the line with Ducati?

Tensions are rising between Bagnaia and Ducati as his performance levels in 2025 have been far from ideal. While the GP25 has not suited his riding style, the Borgo Panigale outfit have given him the changes he wanted, evidenced by his Motegi dominance.

Ducati are ‘at the end of their rope’ with Bagnaia after his dismal weekend at Mandalika. The team’s bosses were frustrated that much of the attention was on his struggles, rather than Ducati wrapping up the 2025 teams’ championship.

Bagnaia has been dominated by Marc Marquez, who suffered a collarbone injury at Mandalika and will miss the next two races. His struggles compared to his teammate have led to speculation that he could seek to leave Ducati.

Jorge Lorenzo says Bagnaia has nothing to ‘gain’ by leaving his contract early, as he would be moving to an inferior bike and team. However, with the current strain on their relationship, it may be the only way it gets resolved.