Luigi Dall’Igna now admits Francesco Bagnaia was right all along about Ducati’s 2025 bike

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Francesco Bagnaia has been in a confusing situation with Ducati throughout 2025 as his form has fluctuated on the GP25.

The Italian has struggled to adapt to the new Desmosedici, stating that he has a lack of feeling from the front end. Bagnaia has not found the right balance with the bike since pre-season testing.

Ducati gave him GP24 parts at Motegi, which worked a treat as he claimed a double victory, only to crash out from the back at Mandalika and Phillip Island with the same setup. It has sparked debate about how the GP25 differs from its predecessor.

Alex Criville says Ducati have gone ‘backwards’ with the GP25, evidenced by Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio’s performances. Neither rider has got on well with the bike, while Marc Marquez has dominated 2025 with it – he can adapt to any machine.

Pablo Nieto claims Bagnaia is wrong about the GP25 as he sees little difference between the new bike and its predecessor. Luigi Dall’Igna also felt that there were ‘no significant differences’, but he has since diverged.

Luigi Dall’Igna admits Francesco Bagnaia is right about the GP25 as he assesses how different it is to the GP24

Speaking to Speedweek, the Ducati chief admits that he took a different direction with the GP25’s development from the start of the season. It proves Bagnaia’s theory to be correct, in that there are noticeable changes from the GP24.

“For us, the season began with the event in Madonna di Campiglio,” he said. “Back then, I said that there were no significant differences between the two bikes. That’s because I didn’t want to take any risks.

“Last year, we had a considerable technical advantage and also had some of the best riders on the grid. So I didn’t see why I should take any risks. If you change something, problems can always arise. Be it with reliability, or something that works in Sepang might not work so well elsewhere.

“We had a few ideas and evaluated them thoroughly during winter testing. Afterward, we decided to stick with the proven solutions. We’re adhering to that philosophy this year.

“At the beginning of the year, the two bikes were very similar. Then we improved the 25cc version a bit. There was new fairing, and the riders could also choose other parts, such as the frame.

“It took a few Grands Prix to understand that the new machine was better. But that’s how it is. Even without new parts, you can improve a racing machine. From a setup perspective, there are numerous possibilities, which make huge differences in how the motorcycle behaves on the track.

“It’s also true that when a different rider joins the team, he can potentially lead you down new paths. This helps you understand the overall picture better.”

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

How will Francesco Bagnaia fare in the final two races of 2025?

Even Marquez prefers the GP24, but he will not admit it to Bagnaia as he knows that only he can win with the GP25. The Italian has only won two races this season as he risks dropping to P5 in the standings.

Bagnaia looked like himself again at Sepang as Ducati reverted to the setup from pre-season testing. It guided the 28-year-old to pole position and the Sprint win, before a rear tyre puncture forced him to retire on Sunday.

Given his inconsistent results, it is impossible to predict where Bagnaia will finish at Portimao and Valencia. He will just be hoping to have a good feeling with the bike and end the season strongly.

Nicolo Bulega will be Bagnaia’s teammate in the final two races as he steps in to replace the injured Marquez. The WSBK runner-up will get his first taste of MotoGP after testing at Jerez earlier in the week.