The Future of Pecco Bagnaia at Ducati: Oscar Haro Shocks with Possibility of Early Team Switch

The 2025 MotoGP season has been brutal for Pecco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion who entered the year as the man to beat. But instead of defending his throne, Bagnaia is now in freefall, trailing behind new Ducati teammate Marc Marquez by 51 points in the championship standings. The shockwaves from his recent French Grand Prix crash, where he failed to score any points, have further fueled questions about his mental resilience and future at Ducati.

Adding fuel to the fire, Oscar Haro, the outspoken former LCR Honda sporting director, has delivered a scathing critique of Bagnaia’s performance, suggesting that the Italian is crumbling under the weight of internal and external pressure.

The Pressure is Mounting on Pecco Bagnaia

It was never going to be easy sharing a garage with Marc Marquez, arguably one of the most dominant riders in MotoGP history. But few expected Pecco Bagnaia to be this vulnerable, this soon. The man who seemed unshakable in his title-winning seasons is now riddled with mistakes, often crashing out or making uncharacteristic errors that are costing him dearly in the standings.

At Le Mans, Bagnaia had a golden opportunity to claw back points, but a late-race crash saw him walk away empty-handed while Marquez finished on the podium, strengthening his grip on the championship.

Oscar Haro pulled no punches when analyzing Bagnaia’s performance in France:

“He loses confidence, he loses his concentration. He should have won this race.”

For Haro, this is no longer just about racecraft or bike setup. It’s about psychological fragility, something you wouldn’t expect from a two-time world champion.

A Mental Blackout: Is Pecco Bagnaia Cracking Under Pressure?

According to Haro, Pecco Bagnaia is suffering from what he called a “psychological blackout.”

“Pecco Bagnaia is caught in a psychological blackout. And he can’t get out of it.”

This isn’t just harsh criticism—it’s a damning psychological diagnosis that suggests Bagnaia has lost his mental edge, a crucial ingredient in any elite rider’s arsenal. And in a sport as unforgiving as MotoGP, mental weakness is often the difference between champions and also-rans.

Haro further claimed that Bagnaia doesn’t handle paddock pressure well, especially now that the Ducati garage has undergone a seismic shift with Marquez’s arrival. The Spaniard hasn’t just won races—he’s captured hearts and headlines, quickly becoming the de facto star of the red garage.

“He [Bagnaia] does not tolerate the hustle and bustle of the paddock well, especially the change in the Ducati box where Marquez has taken his place in hearts and results.”

Ducati’s Faith Is Fading in Bagnaia

Inside the Ducati hierarchy, there’s an air of disappointment. After all, the GP25 was designed based heavily on Bagnaia’s feedback, tailored to suit his riding style and maximize his strengths. Expectations were sky-high for him to continue leading the brand into a new era of dominance.

But instead of building on that momentum, Bagnaia has stumbled, while Marquez, on the very same machine, has thrived.

“Dall’Igna, Tardozzi, Pirro… all send clear messages: we expected more from Pecco,” said Haro, highlighting the growing rift between Bagnaia and Ducati’s top brass.

The situation paints a troubling picture: Ducati gave Bagnaia everything he asked for, and now they’re getting less than expected in return.

The Marc Marquez Effect

The rise of Marc Marquez at Ducati has completely shifted the team’s internal dynamics. The multiple-time world champion is winning races, showing consistency, and exuding the kind of confidence that Bagnaia once had.

And he’s doing it on the same bike.

This contrast has only amplified Bagnaia’s struggles, creating a narrative of decline versus resurgence. While Marquez is riding a wave of momentum, Bagnaia appears to be drowning in doubt.

The uncomfortable truth is that Marc Marquez is not just outperforming his teammate—he’s reshaping the team culture, drawing the spotlight, and establishing himself as the new face of Ducati’s MotoGP project.

Could Bagnaia Leave Ducati Early?

Oscar Haro even floated a scenario that seemed unthinkable a few months ago:

“I would not rule out an early switch from Pecco to another brand if the internal climate does not improve.”

While a pre-2027 exit might seem unlikely due to contract obligations, Haro’s comments suggest that the current tension could spiral into a full-blown fracture if results don’t improve soon.

Such a move would be shocking—but not unprecedented in MotoGP, where teams and riders frequently part ways when mutual trust erodes.

What’s Gone Wrong for Pecco Bagnaia in 2025?

Several factors seem to be working against Pecco Bagnaia this season:

• Mental Pressure: The added stress of being both the defending champion and sharing a garage with Marc Marquez appears to have shattered his composure.

• Public Expectations: With the GP25 tailored to him and a high-profile teammate on board, all eyes were on Bagnaia to deliver. He hasn’t.

• Internal Politics: Ducati’s apparent shift in emotional investment toward Marquez may have left Bagnaia feeling sidelined.

• On-Track Errors: From unnecessary crashes to strategic miscalculations, Bagnaia is making mistakes that are costing him dearly.

Can Bagnaia Recover Before It’s Too Late?

With the season still young, it would be premature to write off Pecco Bagnaia completely. He’s still a two-time world champion, and talent like his doesn’t vanish overnight. But if he hopes to challenge for the title—or even remain Ducati’s No. 1 long-term—drastic mental and performance improvements are needed immediately.

MotoGP is an unforgiving sport. Momentum is everything, and right now, Marc Marquez has all of it. If Bagnaia can’t regain control soon, the 2025 championship could slip away, along with his status inside Ducati.

Final Thoughts: A Turning Point in Pecco Bagnaia’s Career?

The narrative of Pecco Bagnaia vs. Marc Marquez is fast becoming one of the most compelling rivalries in modern MotoGP history. But it’s not just about wins and podiums—it’s about identity, dominance, and survival.

If Pecco Bagnaia is truly suffering a psychological blackout, as Haro claims, he will need to dig deeper than ever before to find a way out. With Marc Marquez thriving and Ducati’s patience wearing thin, Bagnaia must now prove—more than ever—that he still belongs at the pinnacle of the sport.