Bagnaia’s Father Reveals What His Son Is Not Seeing Clearly at Ducati During Difficult Times
As the 2025 MotoGP season approaches its halfway point, the championship landscape has shifted in unexpected ways. Reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia, once Ducati’s undisputed number one rider, finds himself outside the top two in the standings for the first time since 2020. The factory Ducati star is facing an uphill battle, and now, even his closest supporters are weighing in on the reasons behind his sudden struggles.
A Season Unlike Any Other for Bagnaia
Just last year, Bagnaia was the benchmark in MotoGP, winning 11 races and sealing his second consecutive world championship. Fast-forward to mid-2025, and the Italian rider’s title defense has unraveled in ways few expected.
Bagnaia’s form has slipped dramatically. Rather than fighting for victories week in and week out, he now battles simply to reach the podium. Finishing third or worse has become the norm, a stark contrast to his dominant performances from the past two seasons.
The situation has left fans, analysts, and former riders scratching their heads. Has Bagnaia lost his edge? Is it the 2025 Ducati GP25 that’s holding him back? Or has something deeper shifted in the reigning champion’s mindset?
Loris Capirossi Defends Bagnaia’s Talent
MotoGP legend Loris Capirossi has urged the paddock not to overreact, calling it “absolutely wrong” to question Bagnaia’s talent. According to Capirossi, greatness doesn’t simply disappear overnight. What’s more likely, he argues, is a temporary misalignment between rider and machine.
But others close to Bagnaia have voiced concerns that this year’s bike—and Bagnaia’s evolving approach—have taken something essential away from his riding.
Francesco Bagnaia’s Father Weighs In on What’s ‘Missing’
In a rare public comment, Bagnaia’s father, Pietro Bagnaia, has offered an insightful critique of his son’s struggles. Pietro, who has watched Francesco’s entire racing journey from childhood to world championships, believes that the subtlety and finesse of his riding have been lost in the transition to the 2025 Ducati.
“One seems like he doesn’t do anything special on the bike, but then afterwards, if you look carefully, his bike is never still,” Pietro explained. “When he takes the brake, he just brakes the lever, and he does all these things, but with a sweetness.”
He added, “The entrance into the curve, the bike that he’s on now this year is what he’s missing a little bit.”
Essentially, Pietro suggests that the connection between Francesco and his machine—the instinctive feel for the front end, the delicate braking, and the fluid corner entries—is not the same this year.
Luigi Dall’Igna Still Backs Bagnaia Despite Tough Start
Ducati’s General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna, the architect behind the GP25, has been vocal in his support of Bagnaia. After a gritty ride to the podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, where Bagnaia fought his way back with an aggressive pass on Pedro Acosta, Dall’Igna said he will “never quit believing” in his star rider.
However, behind the scenes, Dall’Igna is also reportedly pushing for answers. Ducati expected the GP25 to be an evolutionary step forward, but so far, it has caused as many problems as it has solved—especially for Bagnaia.
Bagnaia’s Changing Role Within Ducati
Adding to Bagnaia’s struggles is his changing dynamic within the team. In previous years, Bagnaia was Ducati’s unquestioned number one. But with Marc Marquez now in the factory squad and outperforming Bagnaia on the same bike, the internal balance of power has shifted.
Bagnaia, known for being both a fierce competitor and a thoughtful development rider, has also become more critical this year—questioning the bike’s shortcomings in public and pushing Ducati for answers.
His candid assessments, though understandable, may have contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty within the team.
A Painful Missed Opportunity with Michelin’s Tyres
One development that Bagnaia had been counting on was a new Michelin front tyre, set to be introduced in 2026. In early testing, Bagnaia found the new tyre gave him the front-end feel and confidence he’s been desperately missing this season.
However, that tyre development has now been cancelled, a crushing blow to Bagnaia’s hopes of a mechanical solution to his problems.
Instead, Bagnaia will be forced to extract performance from the current GP25 and its 2025 tyre allocation, without the improved front-end support he had banked on.
Technical or Mental? The Debate Continues
So, what is the root cause of Bagnaia’s slump? Some believe it’s technical. The GP25 has a sharper chassis, optimized for late braking and sharp turn-in—traits that suit Marquez’s style but clash with Bagnaia’s smoother, corner-speed-focused approach.
Others think it’s mental. After two dominant years, Bagnaia now faces stiff competition from within his own garage, and the pressure to defend his crown may be weighing on him.
His father, however, points to something more subtle: the loss of the sweet, natural synergy between rider and bike.
The Dutch Grand Prix: A Glimmer of Hope
At the Dutch TT in Assen, Bagnaia showed flashes of his old self. Starting from pole, he lost ground early but fought back hard, executing a daring overtake on rookie sensation Pedro Acosta to reclaim a podium position.
While it wasn’t a victory, the performance proved that Bagnaia still has the grit and racecraft that made him a world champion. What remains is translating that grit into consistent race pace across the rest of the season.
What’s Next for Bagnaia in 2025?
Bagnaia’s next challenge is the Sachsenring, a track where he has historically struggled and where Marc Marquez has been dominant. If Bagnaia can put together a complete weekend in Germany, it could signal the start of his resurgence.
Longer term, Bagnaia and Ducati will need to address the disconnect between his riding style and the GP25’s handling characteristics. Whether through setup changes, electronics adjustments, or mental recalibration, solutions must be found—and soon.
2026 Looms Large with More Changes Ahead
Looking beyond this season, Bagnaia faces an uncertain landscape. 2026 will bring a major regulation overhaul, and with Michelin leaving as MotoGP’s tyre supplier, the entire balance of the championship could shift.
Bagnaia had hoped that Michelin’s new tyre development would give him a head start heading into those changes, but now he must regroup without that advantage.
For a rider who thrives on feel and finesse, the uncertainty surrounding the next generation of bikes and tyres will be a significant factor in deciding his MotoGP future.
Support Remains, But Expectations Are High
Despite his rough start to the year, Bagnaia retains the backing of Ducati, his father, and much of the MotoGP paddock. As Dall’Igna put it, he remains “the reference” within the Ducati stable—even as Marc Marquez steals the headlines.
But that support comes with expectations. Ducati didn’t build the GP25 to finish third, and Bagnaia didn’t sign up for 2025 to play second fiddle. Both rider and team know that improvement must come, and fast.
Can Bagnaia Bounce Back?
If anyone can turn things around, it’s Bagnaia. His championship runs in 2022 and 2023 showcased his resilience, race management, and ability to adapt under pressure.
However, this year presents a different kind of challenge: internal competition from Marc Marquez, a bike that no longer fits him like a glove, and a rapidly evolving MotoGP landscape.
The next few races will reveal whether Bagnaia can rediscover the finesse and control that made him a two-time world champion—or whether Ducati’s future belongs to someone else.
Final Thoughts: The Missing Sweetness
Pietro Bagnaia’s comments cut to the heart of the issue. What Francesco is missing isn’t speed, aggression, or bravery. It’s that intangible connection with the bike—the “sweetness” that made his riding effortless and sublime.
Finding that connection again could be the difference between salvaging his 2025 title defense or watching it slip away for good.
