Bagnaia’s new beginning: Could the German GP become the turning point of the 2025 season?

Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia enters the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring with renewed optimism after what he described as his “best weekend” of a difficult 2025 MotoGP season. The reigning double world champion, riding for Ducati, is determined to use his performance in the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen as a springboard to reignite his campaign.

Despite the encouraging signs, Bagnaia faces an uphill battle. He currently trails his Ducati teammate Marc Marquez by a staggering 126 points in the championship standings. The task ahead is daunting, but Bagnaia is embracing the challenge with a fresh mindset.

A Season of Struggles and a Glimmer of Hope

The 2025 season has not been kind to Bagnaia. After dominating MotoGP in 2022 and 2023, and narrowly securing his second title in 2024, Bagnaia has found himself overshadowed by the resurgence of Marquez, who has returned to his best form on the GP25.

Bagnaia’s main issue this season has been a lack of front-end feeling on the new Ducati GP25. This deficiency has hindered his ability to push the limits in corner entry—a critical component of his riding style. But at Assen, things started to click.

Assen: Bagnaia’s Best Weekend Yet

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Bagnaia shared his reflections on the Dutch Grand Prix weekend:

“I think we just need to restart from where we finished in Assen. It’s true that in the race things didn’t arrive like I expected, but we were there again for a second week in a row fighting for the lead and this is a great step in front. Taking the positives, we just had the best weekend so far in Assen.”

Bagnaia qualified second and finished third at Assen, just 2.666 seconds behind Marquez. While a win eluded him, his ability to consistently fight at the front was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles this year.

Learning from Marquez’s Mastery at Sachsenring

As the championship heads to Sachsenring, Bagnaia is well aware of the challenge that awaits. Marquez is a master of the German GP, having won the race every year from 2013 to 2021, and finishing second last year despite starting 13th.

Bagnaia acknowledged Marquez’s strength at the Sachsenring but remained positive:

“It’s true that Marc in this track is super strong and it’s the strongest circuit for him. So, let’s try to follow his riding, try to analyse everything during the weekend and be closer.”

The Italian is keen to take a methodical approach, closely studying Marquez’s riding to close the performance gap.

A New Strategy for a New Challenge

One key change for Bagnaia at Assen was a more consistent approach to bike setup and race preparation. Rather than making major changes to the bike throughout the weekend, Bagnaia and his team focused on fine-tuning and maximizing track time.

“I think it’s the work we did during the weekend. It’s true that my feeling this season is different and we just need to adapt to it. But we worked in a better way, with more laps during the sessions and analysing more things. We didn’t change the bike too much during the weekend and that was super useful. So, we just need to start from it and copy the same strategy.”

This strategic shift allowed him to gain confidence and consistency—two critical ingredients for success at Sachsenring’s tight and technical layout.

The Championship Picture: A Mountain to Climb

With 126 points separating Bagnaia and Marquez, the defending champion’s chances of retaining his crown are slim, but not impossible. MotoGP’s unpredictable nature and the possibility of non-finishes or injuries can dramatically alter the landscape.

Bagnaia knows he can’t afford to lose ground at Sachsenring. A win would inject fresh life into his season and apply pressure on Marquez. Conversely, another defeat would likely end his title hopes for 2025.

Marquez vs. Bagnaia: A Battle for Ducati Supremacy

Beyond the championship, Sachsenring represents a critical battle for supremacy within Ducati. Since joining Ducati in 2024, Marc Marquez has quickly become the team’s most consistent winner, while Bagnaia has struggled to adapt to the GP25’s characteristics.

A win for Bagnaia at a Marquez stronghold would send a clear message—he’s still the man to beat on the red bike. But a loss would reinforce Marquez’s status as the top Ducati rider, perhaps shifting team dynamics heading into the second half of the season.

What Makes Sachsenring a Marquez Fortress?

The Sachsenring circuit plays perfectly to Marquez’s strengths. With its flowing left-hand corners, heavy braking zones, and relentless rhythm, it rewards aggressive yet precise riding—hallmarks of the Spanish legend’s style.

Bagnaia’s more fluid approach has struggled to unlock the same level of success, but with his Assen form, he has a blueprint to challenge Marquez in Germany.

What to Expect in the German GP

Heading into the German GP, fans can expect a closely fought battle. Bagnaia will be looking to build on his Assen performance, while Marquez will aim to extend his dominance at Sachsenring.

If Bagnaia can improve his front-end confidence and maintain his improved qualifying form, he has a shot at challenging for the win. However, beating Marquez at his favorite track will require near-perfection.

The weather could also play a role, as Sachsenring is notorious for changing conditions, potentially creating opportunities for bold strategy calls.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment in Bagnaia’s Season

The German Grand Prix represents a turning point for Pecco Bagnaia’s 2025 season. After struggling through the first half of the year, Assen offered a glimpse of the champion who dominated MotoGP for two seasons.

If he can carry that momentum into Sachsenring and finally topple Marquez, it could reignite his title defense. But if Marquez triumphs again, Bagnaia may be forced to shift his focus from championship glory to individual race wins and preparing for 2026.

Either way, the German GP promises to be one of the most crucial weekends of the season. For Bagnaia, it’s not just about points—it’s about reclaiming his confidence, his form, and perhaps, his status as Ducati’s top rider.