Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia experienced an issue-plagued campaign in 2025, and Sylvain Guintoli has questioned whether it was all just in his head.
The Italian rider experienced his worst season with the factory Ducati team since making the move to Borgo Panigale ahead of the 2021 premier class campaign.
Having spent the entirety of his tenure at the team as a championship contender, the newly concluded season was of stark contrast.
Whilst Marc Marquez dominated the field on his way to the title atop the exact same piece of kit as the Italian, Francesco Bagnaia languished.
Sylvain Guintoli theorised on what was causing Bagnaia’s issues as the season ensued, but a quick fix for the 28-year-old was nowhere to be found within the Ducati garages.
- READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia ‘must’ take a pay cut if he wants to keep his Ducati MotoGP seat for 2027
Francesco Bagnaia failed to score points in 18 of his 44 races in 2025.
Sylvain Guintoli questions whether Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles at Ducati are all in his ‘head’
In a recent interview with Crash, Guintoli was asked about the various issues that plagued Bagnaia during his most recent season at the factory Ducati team in 2025.
The former MotoGP rider detailed how important it is to have confidence in the front-end of a bike when racing at such incredible speeds, saying, “Some riders are more affected than others [by front feeling].
“Some adapt and find ways around it, and some need to be 100% happy with that feedback. It comes through your wrists. It’s a weird feeling. You can feel the front tyre moving.
“Especially with a MotoGP, you can feel the front tyre squashing and deforming underneath as you try to brake in. Even when you’re straight [braking upright], you can feel that.
“Then, as you trail-brake into the corner, you can really feel it in your wrists. And you must be in full control of that because you’re on the limit.
“Everything needs to be super smooth for you to get the best out of the package. It’s easier said than done! And Pecco is not shy, even when he’s struggling, to go for it and sometimes push over the limit.
“Front-end feel can be mental as well, as in, it can get to your head. But the reality is that – except for Motegi – he’s been confronted by some sort of recurrent problem. The same problem was always there”
“I think he’s going to come back, and I’ve said he’s going to have to hit rock bottom before coming back. But the episode in Motegi was kind of strange! He couldn’t do anything wrong and dominated.”
- READ MORE: ‘Absolutely brilliant’ MotoGP rider is in the ‘perfect’ position to earn 2027 Ducati MotoGP seat
Francesco Bagnaia on his MotoGP future
Several figures within the MotoGP paddock think Francesco Bagnaia will return to full form next season
The 28-year-old finished the season with six retirements in the final seven Grands Prix, which pretty much sums up the extent of his struggles throughout the year.
However, a number of figures within the MotoGP paddock believe that the Italian’s woes will expire upon the beginning of the new season, including Jorge Martin.
Bagnaia’s 2024 title rival is adamant that the Italian will return to full form in 2026. Martin highlighted that he didn’t know what happened to the factory Ducati man in the recent term, and has backed him to return to ‘top shape’ next year.
There are a lot more things at stake for Bagnaia next season as well. His contract with Borgo Panigale will expire at the end of 2026, meaning his performances next season will be the deciding factor in whether he gets a renewal or not.
Bagnaia can cement his seat at Ducati by impressing at pre-season testing in Sepang. If his struggles continue, it remains to be seen where he will find himself racing in MotoGP’s new era of regulations in 2027.
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