Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia is once again lost at Ducati as he claims the DNA of the GP26 is the same as last year’s bike.
The Italian’s woes in 2025 were well documented, as he constantly complained about a lack of feeling from the GP25, particularly in braking and corner entry.
It was a sharp contrast to the 2024 bike, which Bagnaia won 11 races on. Now, in 2026, he wants Ducati to go back to the GP24’s development again, as he suffers the same issues this year as he did in 2025.
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Bagnaia blasted the 2025 bike several times over the season, calling for Ducati to make adjustments and find his feeling again. He failed to finish six of the last seven Grand Prix and dropped to P5 in the standings,
2026 started with a bit of optimism, as Bagnaia was faster than Marc Marquez in pre-season testing, although the Spaniard was not at full fitness. Nevertheless, the Italian was confident going into the season, but that has since faded.
Pecco Bagnaia ‘completely changed’ his braking system to find a feeling from the GP26 – it’s the same as the GP25
Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, Bagnaia has finished no higher than ninth on Sunday. Speaking to Sky Italia at Jerez, he explained his problems with the GP26 and how they mirror the issues he had with its predecessor in braking.
“I know my potential very well, I know exactly where I can be,” he said. “Whenever I’ve had the chance, I’ve always been at the front, and the results speak for themselves.
“I’ve been struggling for two years: the DNA of the GP25 and GP26, which is the same, doesn’t allow me to express myself fully. I always ride very defensively and can’t fully trust the bike, and that doesn’t allow me to be fast.
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“Plus, my strong point, which has always been braking and corner entry, I can’t exploit with this bike anymore. I’ve completely changed my braking system, and it’s something that limits me a lot.
“I just hope we can continue in the direction we’ve been in up until 2024, with a bike designed for that. Right now, there are other riders complaining about the same things, and I hope we can try something in this direction at the test.”
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Francesco Bagnaia is completely lost on the GP26
There have been some positives from Bagnaia’s season thus far, such as a near-win in the Sprint at COTA. He had led for almost the whole race until Jorge Martin denied him victory on the final lap.
But it has mostly been more doom and gloom for the two-time champion. Bagnaia cannot understand why he is losing speed during races on the GP26, having yet to record a top-five finish this year.
Bagnaia has admitted that he could have done more to adapt to last year’s bike, which may be costing him now in 2026, given that this year’s machine has the same DNA.
He will certainly continue to push for improvements with Ducati. But with his Aprilia move coming up for 2027, Bagnaia may already be wishing for the 2026 season to end.
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