Shock for Bagnaia: The Major Change He “Really Needs” for 2026 Has Been Canceled

The 2025 MotoGP season was supposed to be another thrilling title showdown between Francesco Bagnaia and his Ducati Lenovo teammate, Marc Marquez. But as the championship passes its halfway mark, the reality is far less glamorous for the reigning world champion.

Bagnaia, who dominated the last two seasons, has only managed one Grand Prix win from the first ten rounds. Instead of leading the charge, he now finds himself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position—third in the championship standings, trailing Marquez by a staggering 126 points.

Bagnaia’s Focus Shifts From Title to Confidence Rebuilding

With the gap to Marquez already insurmountable barring a catastrophe, Bagnaia’s focus has inevitably shifted. Fighting for the 2025 title now seems beyond reach, but the Italian must still find motivation in the remaining races.

Rather than chasing an impossible comeback, Bagnaia’s priority now turns to rediscovering the confidence and rhythm that once made him a two-time world champion. Solidifying his form during the remainder of 2025 could set the foundation for a more competitive 2026 campaign, especially as the sport prepares for major technical shifts, including the switch from Michelin to Pirelli tyres.

Assen: Small Signs of Progress, But Sprint Struggles Remain

The recent Dutch Grand Prix at Assen offered Bagnaia a glimpse of what could be. He secured his best qualifying result of the season, placing second on the grid and even outpacing Marc Marquez, who was nursing bruises from a previous fall.

But qualifying form has not been Bagnaia’s main problem this year—the bigger concern is his race pace, particularly in the Sprint format. Once again, the Sprint exposed his vulnerabilities as he dropped to fifth, continuing a troubling trend: Bagnaia has now failed to finish on the Sprint podium in five of the last seven events.

The Grand Prix race itself was more positive, but still short of spectacular. After slipping backward in the early laps, Bagnaia dug deep to recover, eventually overtaking Pedro Acosta to secure third place. It was a respectable performance, but one that fell short of the elite standard he set in previous seasons.

Bagnaia’s Front-End Woes: The Elusive ‘Feeling’

Throughout 2025, Bagnaia has repeatedly lamented the lack of feeling with the front end of his Ducati, a crucial aspect of his riding style. Known for his heavy braking and late-corner entry techniques, Bagnaia relies on precise front-end feedback to extract performance.

Unfortunately, the current Michelin front tyre has not suited his approach. This mismatch has forced Bagnaia to ride more conservatively, robbing him of the aggressive edge that won him titles in 2022 and 2023.

However, hope briefly flickered during a test session where riders sampled Michelin’s prototype 2026 front tyre. Bagnaia’s reaction was emphatic.

“I love this tyre!” Bagnaia told Paddock GP.
“I really needed it. As a rider who uses a lot of braking to enter corners, this tyre performed extremely well. It gave me back the confidence I’ve been searching for.”

The test seemed to validate Bagnaia’s complaints, suggesting that his struggles weren’t solely rider-related but also influenced by equipment limitations.

Heartbreak at Assen: Michelin Cancels New Tyre Introduction

Unfortunately for Bagnaia, that glimmer of hope was short-lived. Over the Assen weekend, Michelin dropped a bombshell, announcing that the new front tyre compound would not be introduced in 2026 as originally planned. Instead, the French manufacturer will complete its final season in MotoGP next year using the current tyre construction, before handing over the reins to Pirelli in 2027.

This means that Bagnaia, and others who had adapted their riding to favor the prototype tyre, will be stuck with a compound that doesn’t suit them for the entirety of the 2026 season.

For Bagnaia, it was a crushing blow. After months of struggling to adapt to the existing tyre, the hope of a technical fix was dashed, forcing him to refocus on finding solutions through setup changes and personal riding adjustments.

Can Bagnaia Hold on to Third Place in the Championship?

With the title slipping away, the fight for second place in the standings remains theoretically open. But even this battle is complicated. Alex Marquez, despite suffering a broken hand, remains ahead of Bagnaia in the points. Depending on the severity of Alex’s injury, Bagnaia might close the gap—but it will be no easy task.

Compounding his challenges are consistent threats from Pedro Acosta, Enea Bastianini, and Jorge Martin, all of whom have shown flashes of brilliance this season. If Bagnaia’s Sprint struggles continue, holding onto third could be a battle in itself.

What’s Gone Wrong in 2025? A Combination of Factors

Bagnaia’s 2025 campaign can’t be explained by one problem alone. It’s been a perfect storm of challenges:

• Marc Marquez’s renaissance: After joining Ducati, Marquez has rediscovered the form that made him an eight-time world champion, leaving little room for error among rivals.

• Tyre compatibility: Bagnaia’s natural riding style doesn’t mesh well with the current Michelin front tyre, leaving him at a disadvantage in braking zones.

• Sprint format struggles: The new format introduced in recent years has been a thorn in Bagnaia’s side. Quick-fire, no-margin races don’t allow him to play his usual long-game race strategy.

• Mental burden of being the hunted: As a two-time defending champion, Bagnaia now carries the pressure of being the benchmark, a role he admitted earlier in the season has been mentally draining.

Looking to 2026: Rebuilding for the Future

With the 2025 title out of realistic reach, Bagnaia must now use the remaining races to rebuild his race craft and confidence.

2026 will present new challenges—and new opportunities. While Michelin’s tyre situation won’t improve, Bagnaia’s intimate knowledge of Ducati’s evolving machinery will be an advantage. Furthermore, the arrival of Pirelli in 2027 could dramatically reset the playing field, meaning a return to dominance is still possible in the near future.

Bagnaia’s long-term challenge may not be just technical but mental. He needs to re-establish himself as Ducati’s number one rider, resisting the narrative that Marquez has dethroned him within the factory squad.

The Ducati Dynamic: Team Harmony or Brewing Rivalry?

Ducati’s garage has been walking a fine line this season. While the factory portrays unity, the growing success of Marc Marquez has shifted the internal balance of power.

Marquez’s adaptability and hunger to win after injury setbacks have made him the focal point of the championship. Bagnaia, once the clear leader, now finds himself in the unusual position of chasing his own teammate.

The question heading into the final stretch of the season is whether Ducati can manage this dynamic without friction—or whether we will see a full-blown intra-team rivalry similar to Rossi vs. Lorenzo or Stoner vs. Hayden in seasons past.

Can Bagnaia Win Again in 2025?

There are still races where Bagnaia’s strengths could shine. Circuits like Austria (Red Bull Ring) and Misano, where he has traditionally excelled, offer a chance for redemption.

But even victories at these tracks won’t change the championship outcome—they will simply serve as confidence boosters heading into the winter break.

Conclusion: A Crucial Turning Point in Bagnaia’s Career

The 2025 MotoGP season has been a humbling experience for Francesco Bagnaia. Once considered untouchable, he has been brought back to earth by a combination of technical challenges, fierce competition, and mental fatigue.

But all great champions face adversity. How Bagnaia responds in the second half of the season could define the next chapter of his career. Will he let this year break him, or will he use it as fuel to come back stronger in 2026?

With Pirelli on the horizon and Ducati still the benchmark bike, Bagnaia’s story in MotoGP is far from over. But for now, the focus shifts from lifting the trophy to rediscovering the joy of racing—and proving that his reign as world champion was not a fleeting moment but the start of a legacy.