Why Does Ducati Still Trust Pecco Despite Difficulties at the Italian GP? – The Answer Lies in Data Recorded Over Many Seasons

The 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello was supposed to be a triumphant homecoming for Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia. After all, the double world champion had conquered this track three times in a row. Coming into the weekend, Bagnaia even declared that if he wasn’t competitive at Mugello, “something would be wrong.”

And yet, despite a spirited start and fierce battles with the Marquez brothers, Bagnaia could only finish off the podium, losing out to Fabio Di Giannantonio late in the race. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez delivered another stunning performance on the factory Ducati, taking his second win of the season and extending his lead in the championship.

For Bagnaia, who is now a staggering 110 points behind Marquez after just nine rounds, the pressure is mounting. But inside Ducati’s garage, faith in Pecco remains unshaken. And the reason? Not sentiment—but data.

Ducati’s Boss: “Pecco is Still the Fast Rider of the Year Before”

After Sunday’s disappointing result, Davide Tardozzi, Ducati’s team manager, was quick to address the elephant in the room: what’s going wrong with Bagnaia?

Speaking on MotoGP’s After the Flag, Tardozzi was candid. He acknowledged that Pecco’s issues have been persistent since the start of the 2025 season, mainly revolving around his ability to brake late and carry speed through corners—two of his signature strengths. But he insisted the team still sees the potential within their star rider.

“We are facing some problems for Pecco that doesn’t give him the confidence he has in his main area, which is braking hard and carrying the corner speed entering the corner,” Tardozzi explained.
“But we absolutely know and we see on the data that Pecco is still the fast rider of the year before.”

It’s that detailed telemetry and multi-season analysis that keeps Ducati’s belief in Bagnaia intact.

The Problem with the Front End

Bagnaia’s difficulties in 2025 seem centered around one critical issue: front-end feel and stability. At the previous round in Aragon, it looked like a breakthrough had been made, with Pecco showing signs of renewed confidence. But those gains didn’t last at Mugello.

According to Tardozzi, the team still hasn’t found the solution that will allow Bagnaia to ride naturally and with confidence.

“So, in this moment we haven’t found the solution,” Tardozzi admitted.
“But we trust him and we are struggling to find something every day in Ducati, and I think Gigi [Dall’Igna] will find a solution quite soon.”

Gigi Dall’Igna, the mastermind behind Ducati’s technical revolution, remains a crucial part of this puzzle. His ability to resolve engineering challenges could be the key to unlocking Bagnaia’s full potential again.

Why Ducati Is Right to Keep the Faith

Some may wonder why Ducati continues to back Bagnaia so firmly when Marc Marquez has quickly adapted to the Desmosedici and is dominating the championship. The answer lies in Bagnaia’s deep experience with the Ducati machine, and the years of telemetry, feedback, and victories he’s provided.

Over multiple seasons, Bagnaia has been instrumental in helping Ducati evolve the bike. The team’s engineers have years of comparative data showing how Pecco performs under various conditions, setups, and tire choices. Even when the results aren’t there on race day, the data tells a story that raw results can’t.

And that story, according to Tardozzi, is that Pecco is still among the fastest on the grid.

A Ducati Podium Lockout – But Bittersweet for Bagnaia

Despite Pecco’s struggles, Ducati still dominated Mugello. The podium was locked out by Ducati riders, with Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, and Fabio Di Giannantonio taking the top three spots. It was a dream result for the manufacturer, but a mixed day for its factory team.

Bagnaia had been part of an electrifying early battle with the Marquez brothers, even making contact with Marc at one stage. Tardozzi reflected on the moment with a hint of anxiety and admiration.

“Honestly, I was with the fingers crossed that nothing would happen,” he said.
“But I think Pecco and Marc and Alex showed a fantastic couple of laps. I think that there were 11, 12 overtakes and that was a fantastic show for the public.”

In other words, while Pecco’s final result was disappointing, his fight at the front was a reminder of the talent that still burns beneath the surface.

Comparisons with Marc Marquez – Pressure or Motivation?

With Marc Marquez now thriving in the Ducati ecosystem, comparisons between the two top riders are inevitable. Marquez’s aggressive style and adaptability have won him fans inside and outside the garage, and his ability to quickly extract the maximum from the Desmosedici has raised eyebrows.

For Bagnaia, the contrast is stark. While Marc is surging forward, Pecco is still trying to get back to his 2023 form.

But inside Ducati, the narrative isn’t about replacing one champion with another—it’s about balancing two championship-caliber riders, giving each the tools to fight, and learning from both.

Pecco’s Mindset: A Champion Under Pressure

No one feels the weight of expectation more than Pecco Bagnaia himself. As the defending double world champion, every race is a test not just of speed, but of resilience. His post-race demeanor at Mugello was one of reflection—not rage.

He knows the gap to the top is large, but the season is long. His focus now is on rebuilding confidence, corner by corner, session by session.

There’s no panic in the Bagnaia camp—only a renewed urgency.

Looking Ahead – Can Bagnaia Bounce Back?

The next few rounds will be crucial for both Bagnaia and Ducati. Races at Assen, Sachsenring, and Silverstone will test his ability to respond under pressure and adapt to the new technical challenges posed by the 2025 Desmosedici.

If Gigi Dall’Igna and his engineering squad can deliver the changes Pecco needs, we may yet see a resurgence. And if Pecco regains his front-end confidence, he could return to winning ways swiftly.

The good news? The data says it’s possible. And Ducati still believes.

Final Thought: Champions Don’t Vanish Overnight

Pecco Bagnaia’s struggles at Mugello are real. But so is his talent, his experience, and the belief Ducati has in him. It’s easy to focus on what’s wrong. But inside the garage, they’re focused on what can be fixed.

Bagnaia is not just a rider—they see him as an asset built over time, sharpened by years of racing at the limit. Ducati’s continued trust isn’t blind faith—it’s data-driven confidence.

And in MotoGP, as in all elite sports, that kind of insight is often the difference between writing a comeback story—or becoming history.

If Pecco Bagnaia finds his way back to the top, Mugello 2025 may be remembered not as a low point—but as the turning point of a champion’s redemption.