Marco Bezzecchi
New year, different bike, and it is the same problems for Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati. His start to 2026 has proven his team were right about the cause of such issues, and there are no excuses.
Bagnaia sounded almost like a broken record in 2025, constantly complaining about a lack of feeling from the GP25. The longer the situation continued, the more confused Ducati got, as no matter what they tried, his fortunes did not improve.
Besides a great weekend in Japan, which saw Bagnaia claim a double win, the Italian retired from six of the last seven races, finishing down in fifth in the standings. Davide Tardozzi was at a loss to explain Bagnaia’s woes, but the consensus was that 2026 would be much better.
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In pre-season testing, that looked to be the case, as Bagnaia was more confident in braking with the GP26. It even looked as though he was looking stronger than Marc Marquez, although his recovery from his shoulder injury in 2025 was a caveat.
Nevertheless, many believed that Bagnaia would mount a stronger challenge in 2026. But the first two races of the season have brought the same problems, with the Italian again complaining about a lack of feeling.
He finished ninth in the Sprint and main race in Thailand, before crashing out in Brazil, leaving him 13th in the standings. Bagnaia is struggling in races with the GP26, but the problems do not look so technical anymore.
Luigi Dall’Igna was right that Francesco Bagnaia’s problems were mental rather than technical
As Bagnaia’s issues continued unresolved in 2025, many started to question if it was actually the rider, not the bike, that was at fault. Of course, the GP25 was far from perfect, but Marquez’s performances proved that it could be a strong package.
Ducati certainly thought that the problems were more in their rider’s head. Luigi Dall’Igna believed it was a mental issue with Bagnaia in 2025, and that looks to be the case in 2026.
As a report from Motosprint notes, Bagnaia has not challenged for a podium in MotoGP since his last win at Motegi in 2025. A run of form that long is a problem that ‘now seems to be more mental and one of confidence than purely technical’.
The GP26 is clearly a competitive bike, with Marquez winning the Sprint in Brazil and Fabio Di Giannantonio grabbing pole position and a double podium at the same race. With these results, it is hard to accept any excuses for Bagnaia’s lack thereof.
Dall’Igna’s theory is being proven correct in 2026, as even with a new bike that Bagnaia admitted he was comfortable with over the winter, his 2025 nightmares are still present.
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Can Francesco Bagnaia recover his form at Ducati?
Valentino Rossi says Bagnaia is lost at Ducati and cannot find the right rhythm with the Borgo Panigale outfit. After his start to 2026, it is difficult to see how the Italian can recover his form.
Even with a different package, the problems are still the same, as he cannot find the right feeling. Bagnaia insists that Marquez is not the issue and has, at the very least, admitted that he is responsible for his woes.
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Ducati and the rider will no doubt work tirelessly to improve their fortunes, but if rumours are anything to go by, it may already be too late.
Bagnaia is set to join Aprilia in 2027 on a multi-year contract. It may be that the 29-year-old has his mind focused elsewhere.
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