Bagnaia Satisfied with Improvement after Austin Race, Believes Qatar Will Be a More Suitable Track to Beat Martin

Francesco Bagnaia may have taken the victory in Austin, but the reigning MotoGP World Champion is fully aware that the win came with an asterisk. With Marc Marquez crashing out, Bagnaia capitalized on the opportunity. However, the Ducati rider emphasized that his team has made significant progress, and he is now setting his sights on the Qatar Grand Prix — a circuit he believes will better highlight his strengths and give him the edge over rival Jorge Martin.

As the 2025 MotoGP season begins to heat up, Bagnaia’s focus, confidence, and candid reflections are drawing attention. Let’s explore the Italian’s performance in Austin, the state of his rivalry with Jorge Martin, and why Qatar might be the defining turning point in this year’s title fight.

Austin Victory Not Without Context

The Circuit of the Americas in Austin is known for its technical complexity and physical demands. It’s also a place where Marc Marquez has historically been dominant. However, this year’s race saw Marquez crash out — an incident that handed the advantage to Bagnaia.

In a post-race interview, Bagnaia admitted:

“In Austin, I won because of Marquez’s crash, but we’ve improved.”

This honest self-assessment reflects a growing maturity in Bagnaia’s approach. He isn’t quick to gloat. Instead, he focuses on the bigger picture — consistency and development over the long season. While the win goes down in the books, Bagnaia is under no illusion that it was a perfect race from start to finish.

That said, there was clear improvement in his Ducati setup and tire management. After a rocky start to the 2025 season, especially in terms of adapting to new bike settings and handling characteristics, Austin marked a turnaround.

Bagnaia and the Ducati Progress Curve

Bagnaia’s progress with the Ducati Desmosedici is central to his confidence heading into future races. Ducati entered the 2025 season with subtle but impactful changes to their factory bikes, particularly focused on aerodynamics and rear-end stability. These tweaks, while promising on paper, initially threw off Bagnaia’s rhythm in the early rounds.

During the first few races, he struggled to match the pace of Jorge Martin, who adapted more quickly to his Pramac Ducati’s setup. But by the time the MotoGP paddock arrived in Austin, Bagnaia’s camp had made crucial strides.

He explained:

“If we had started the season at different tracks, I might have adapted sooner. Qatar is a better fit for me.”

Bagnaia’s engineering team has been key to this shift. By analyzing tire degradation, refining launch settings, and improving mid-corner exit acceleration, they’ve helped him regain a sense of control — something that was missing in the opening races.

Jorge Martin: The Rival Who Won’t Wait

While Bagnaia celebrates improvement, Jorge Martin continues to be a threat. His early-season form has been blistering, with pole positions and podium finishes stacking up rapidly. Martin, riding for Pramac Ducati, has grown more confident and aggressive with each round.

In the same interview, Bagnaia offered a sly remark when asked about Martin’s pace:

“Martin? He’s not waiting around.”

This comment cuts to the heart of their rivalry. Martin is not only fast — he’s also hungry. After narrowly missing out on the 2023 and 2024 championships, he is eager to dethrone Bagnaia this season.

Their on-track duels have become must-watch TV for MotoGP fans. In fact, data from the Austin race showed that Martin was quicker in certain sectors before tire wear affected his performance. Bagnaia, meanwhile, won through strategy, patience, and capitalizing on errors — both from Marquez and Martin.

The psychological war is also playing out subtly. While Bagnaia remains composed and analytical, Martin is taking an all-out offensive approach. But Bagnaia believes that Qatar, with its wide corners and flowing layout, could be where the tables turn.

Why Qatar Could Change the Game

The Lusail International Circuit in Qatar is a favorite among several riders, but for Bagnaia, it holds special importance. The flowing nature of the track, coupled with consistent nighttime conditions and less tire stress, suits his smooth, calculated riding style.

He stated:

“Qatar is a track that fits me better. I’ll be more competitive and able to fight at full strength.”

Unlike the stop-start character of Austin or the bumpy nature of some European circuits, Qatar rewards precision and control — qualities that define Bagnaia’s racing DNA. Historically, he’s performed well there, often placing within the top three.

With his confidence growing and his setup improving, Bagnaia sees Qatar as the place to fully unleash his potential. More importantly, he believes that Qatar will expose any weaknesses in Martin’s current form, especially in tire conservation and line selection.

A Technical Breakdown: Bagnaia vs. Martin

1. Cornering Speed vs. Braking Power

Bagnaia’s strength lies in maintaining high corner speed with minimal input. He leans on Ducati’s frame rigidity and ride height adjusters to glide through mid-speed turns. Martin, on the other hand, excels under braking — making aggressive late-braking moves to gain position.

In Qatar, where smooth corner exits matter more than harsh braking zones, Bagnaia may find an advantage.

2. Tire Management

One of Bagnaia’s key improvements in Austin was tire preservation. His ability to maintain rear grip into the final laps allowed him to control the race tempo. Martin has shown incredible speed, but his rear tire wear tends to spike late in races.

If Qatar becomes a tire chess match, Bagnaia could take control.

3. Mental Composure

There’s no denying Martin is riding with fire, but that sometimes leads to high-risk decisions. Bagnaia’s methodical mindset and championship experience give him an edge in handling pressure, especially under floodlights in the desert where mistakes are costly.

The Bigger Picture: Ducati’s Dominance at Stake

It’s worth noting that both riders are on Ducati machinery, albeit from different teams. The internal competition is fierce, and Ducati finds itself in a luxurious yet complex position — managing two title contenders who don’t race for the same team.

This dynamic means data sharing is minimal, and strategies diverge. Ducati is clearly backing Bagnaia as the face of their factory program, but Martin’s performances cannot be ignored. If Bagnaia wants to maintain his authority, Qatar becomes more than just a race — it becomes a statement.

Looking Ahead: The Road to the Championship

Bagnaia’s acknowledgment of his own shortcomings earlier in the season is refreshing. His focus on improvement and clear vision for upcoming races signal that he’s in it for the long haul. His Austin victory might have been circumstantial, but it marked a turning point.

With Qatar looming, the MotoGP community is eager to see if Bagnaia can convert his optimism into results. A dominant showing there would not only cement his comeback but also shift the pressure onto Martin.

For fans, the 2025 MotoGP season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. Bagnaia and Martin are bringing different philosophies to the championship race — one based on precision and patience, the other on raw speed and aggression.

Conclusion: Bagnaia’s Battle for Redemption

Bagnaia’s journey after the Austin GP is more than just about bouncing back — it’s about asserting dominance in a rapidly evolving championship. His honest assessment of the win, focus on continuous improvement, and strategic eye on Qatar paint the picture of a champion not satisfied with lucky breaks.

Jorge Martin may be faster in certain moments, but Bagnaia’s understanding of the season as a marathon, not a sprint, could give him the ultimate edge.

All eyes now turn to the desert, where the lights of Lusail will shine on one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns. And if Bagnaia has his way, it will be the place where he not only matches Martin’s speed — but surpasses it with class, control, and championship pedigree.