Pecco Bagnaia reveals a small detail to address the confidence issue at the front of the Ducati MotoGP 2025 in the UK.

Francesco Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, finds himself locked in a difficult relationship with the 2025 Ducati GP25 as the championship intensifies. Despite a late improvement during British GP practice, Bagnaia continues to struggle with front-end confidence—something he identifies as fundamentally different from his natural riding style.

Late Progress at Silverstone Offers a Glimmer of Hope

During Friday’s practice sessions at Silverstone, Bagnaia managed to salvage a seventh-place finish, which earned him a direct entry into Q2. While the result was serviceable, Bagnaia remained clear—it’s far from where he wants or needs to be.

“In the end it went well, I managed to get into the top 10 and into Q2,” Bagnaia reflected after the session. “At the end of the session we made a small step forward that helped me, and I also have to thank Bezzecchi who gave me a tow. I was able to take advantage of his speed, he was very good today.”

Bagnaia’s gratitude toward Marco Bezzecchi highlights just how important teamwork and strategy are—even in individual time attack performances.

Ducati GP25: A Machine That Challenges Bagnaia’s Riding DNA

Bagnaia didn’t shy away from discussing the challenges he’s facing with the Ducati GP25. The Italian star has long been known for his aggressive corner entry—braking late while maintaining high lean angles. However, the current GP25 setup forces a different approach.

“It’s strange because I cannot feel the front. We need to enter the corner fast but we cannot do the same as last year with the brake. We need to release it much before. It is completely different to my riding style.”

This year, Bagnaia said, the front-end grip isn’t allowing him to execute his usual techniques—making it hard to extract the performance he knows is there. Two different setup configurations were tried on Friday, one of which mirrored his 2024 setup, but neither gave him the front-end stability he craves.

“Two completely different set-ups gave me the same feeling in the front. The other set-up was exactly the same set-up from last year’s race. But it didn’t work. I was a bit ashamed because I wanted the feeling but it didn’t work.”

Tire Troubles: A Shift in Strategy

A major part of Bagnaia’s discomfort lies in tire selection. He revealed that the medium front tire, which worked for him throughout the 2024 season, doesn’t perform the same way in 2025. The bike now demands a softer compound—something Bagnaia isn’t entirely comfortable with.

“Last season, we did the whole weekend with the medium front. This year the medium front is tough to use, with a lack of grip.”

He elaborated further:

“Unfortunately, I still don’t have confidence with the front and it’s very difficult for me to be fast or ride cleanly. I have to enter the corners very fast, with less brake, compared to last year, when I could push with the brakes until the middle of the corner.”

The shift in tire dynamics has disrupted Bagnaia’s rhythm and added a layer of unpredictability to the GP25. While other riders on the GP24 seem to adapt better, Bagnaia is left searching for a solution.

Alex Marquez Emerges as a Benchmark

Bagnaia pointed to Alex Marquez, who rides the 2024 Ducati, as someone whose performance is worth emulating—especially after Marquez dominated the time attack using the medium front tire that Bagnaia finds now unusable.

“The only ones who used the medium front for the time attack were the GP24s. We need to understand what Alex Marquez is doing because he is much stronger than everybody else, and copy.”

He added:

“We saw how strong Alex Marquez was today, we simply have to figure out what to do to improve.”

This acknowledgment demonstrates Bagnaia’s willingness to adapt and learn—even if that means taking cues from his rivals.

A Friendly Rivalry and a Shared Tow

During the British GP weekend, Bagnaia also got a helpful tow from Marco Bezzecchi, which contributed to his improved lap time. The camaraderie was evident, with Bagnaia joking about “owing” Bezzecchi a lap in return.

“Yes, but he still owes me, so I can have more tows (laughs).”

This light-hearted exchange was a rare moment of levity in what has otherwise been a frustrating phase for the Ducati factory rider.

Frustration Mounts Despite Progress

Although there’s been some progress, Bagnaia remains dissatisfied with the overall performance and behavior of the bike. The need to rely on the soft front tire—a less ideal choice for him—has created a ripple effect on his braking strategy and corner entry speed.

“The bike moves more but it’s the only way to go fast. It’s a pity because it limits my speed a lot not to be able to brake hard.”

For Bagnaia, not being able to brake late and hard into corners strips away one of his key strengths as a rider. It’s a critical area that Ducati and the rider must work together to resolve.

How This Affects the Championship Picture

The ongoing battle with the Ducati GP25’s front-end is significant. Bagnaia isn’t just any rider—he’s the defending MotoGP World Champion, and any cracks in performance could shift the balance of the entire title race. With Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, and Pedro Acosta looking increasingly competitive, Bagnaia can’t afford to be searching for solutions too far into the season.

If the GP25 doesn’t evolve to suit his aggressive riding style—or if he cannot evolve with it—it opens the door for challengers to capitalize.

Will Ducati Adapt or Will Bagnaia Be Forced to Change?

One of the major philosophical questions raised by this scenario is whether the bike should be tailored to suit the reigning champion, or if Bagnaia must adjust to the evolution of Ducati’s engineering direction. Ducati has consistently produced one of the most competitive bikes on the grid, but it is rarely perfect for every rider.

Marc Marquez, who joined Ducati’s satellite team this year, appears to have fewer complaints. But Bagnaia is clear: his issues are different from Marquez’s.

“It’s not what has happened to Marc.”

That distinction suggests the 2025 bike may suit a different riding philosophy—one that may force Bagnaia to adjust more than ever before in his MotoGP career.

What’s Next for Bagnaia and Ducati?

Heading into the next rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season, all eyes will be on Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team to see how they adapt. Whether it’s by changing the front-end geometry, tire pressure settings, or even the electronics package—something needs to shift.

Bagnaia’s methodical approach—testing two setups, comparing data, analyzing rivals—is encouraging. But the longer this adaptation phase continues, the more vulnerable he becomes to rivals who are already dialed into their machines.

Conclusion: Still a Champion, But in Search of Comfort

Francesco Pecco Bagnaia remains one of the most formidable talents in MotoGP. However, his ongoing discomfort with the 2025 Ducati GP25 presents a serious obstacle. The machine simply doesn’t align with his instinctive riding style, and until that changes, Bagnaia will continue to fight a battle on two fronts—against his competitors and against his own bike.

Can the reigning champ conquer his biggest rival yet: his own machinery? If anyone can, it’s Bagnaia. But time is ticking, and the 2025 season waits for no one.