Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia is desperate to return to form with Ducati in 2026 after suffering a horrible 2025 campaign on the GP25.
The two-time MotoGP champion struggled to adapt to last year’s Desmosedici, despite minimal changes being made from the GP24. Bagnaia finished fifth in the standings in 2025 with just two wins, while teammate Marc Marquez won 25 out of 44 races and the championship.
Not many expected the Ducati intra-team battle to be so one-sided, but Marquez displayed his quality and his ability to adapt to any bike. Meanwhile, Bagnaia expressed his dislike of the GP25 throughout the year, even after the team sought to help him.
Where did it all go wrong for Francesco Bagnaia in 2025?
A comparison between Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia's 2025 Grand Prix results
Davide Tardozzi admitted that Ducati could not give Bagnaia ‘our maximum help’ in 2025. They made the changes that he had requested, including adding GP24 parts, but it did little to improve his situation.
Tardozzi was at a loss to explain Bagnaia’s struggles in the garage to Ducati engineers. But with the GP25 now behind him in 2026, the 28-year-old is hoping to revive his form.
Davide Tardozzi says the ‘feeling is good’ about Francesco Bagnaia and he will be back to his 2024 self
Pre-season testing is fast approaching, and early indications from the end of 2025 suggest that Bagnaia is feeling much better on the new Desmosedici.
Tardozzi says Bagnaia ‘found his way again’ in Valencia during the post-season test. The Italian looked ‘confident’ on the bike and was showing strong pace.
Speaking to MotoriOnline after Marquez returned to testing with Ducati at the Aspar circuit, the team manager shared that the internal ‘feeling was good’ about Bagnaia heading into 2026.
“The feeling is good because both Pecco and Marc seem to be in good shape,” said Tardozzi. “I think Marc is back in good shape after his accident, but he’s not 100% yet, but I think and hope he will be for the first race.
“As for Pecco, I think he had a good winter, so he’s been thinking and reflecting on what happened in 2025. I think we have the Pecco of 2024 again.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number
Francesco Bagnaia is determined to stay at Ducati
Bagnaia has a point to prove in 2026. He will want to challenge Marquez for the title and show Ducati why he is still their golden rider.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Bagnaia will need to find his feet on the GP26 quickly. If Marquez hands him another battering in 2026, he could find himself out of the team.
Davide Tardozzi thinks Francesco Bagnaia is back 👀 How many races will he win in 2026?
Rumours have suggested that the two parties could part ways if the Italian’s form does not improve. It was claimed that Ducati could put Bagnaia in VR46 in 2026, but these were dismissed by the team.
Bagnaia will not join a satellite team if he leaves Ducati, with Aprilia and Yamaha eyeing the 28-year-old. He desires to stay in red, but he will need to show why he deserves a new contract.
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