Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 MotoGP title hopes are fading fast. The reigning world champion finds himself grappling with severe performance issues that have left him trailing far behind teammate Marc Marquez in the standings. Bagnaia has 160 points after nine rounds, which puts him in third place in the championship, a whopping 110 points behind Marquez, who is at the top of the standings with 270.
The root of Bagnaia’s problems lies in chronic front-end grip issues on the Ducati GP25. “I’m struggling a lot,” Bagnaia admitted after the Italian GP, citing front tire degradation and understeer as major concerns. “Only a few circuits later, the front is done. I can’t cycle as well as I think I can.”
A Steep Decline in Performance
Bagnaia’s season started with promise, including a win in Austin, but recent races have revealed alarming weaknesses. He crashed out in Silverstone, scored zero points at Le Mans, and failed to make the podium in several key races. In contrast, Marc Marquez has won five of the nine rounds, completing perfect weekends multiple times by taking both the sprint and main races.
A major shift in Ducati’s hierarchy was marked when Marquez passed Bagnaia, who had always dominated the Mugello course. While Bagnaia is still in the top three, his championship bid is increasingly under threat as both Marquez brothers continue to outperform him.
Technical Troubles and Team Tension
Ducati is aware of the crisis. Team principal Gigi Dall’Igna has acknowledged Bagnaia’s struggles, stating: “There’s no justification. Everyone must feel responsible and work together to solve this.” The team is currently analyzing extensive data from the past few races, especially following Bagnaia’s poor performances at Le Mans and Silverstone.
Rider feedback suggests that Bagnaia’s discomfort with the bike setup—particularly the front-end feel under braking and cornering—has not improved throughout the season. Attempts to fix the issue before Mugello failed to bring significant gains.
Nicolo Bulega, Bagnaia’s compatriot and fellow Ducati rider, noted: “Pecco doesn’t look 100%. He has real problems, and unless they’re fixed, he won’t be able to win races again.”
Marquez’s Rise Intensifies the Pressure
While Bagnaia battles technical gremlins, Marc Marquez is in peak form. His ability to extract maximum performance from the GP25 has been praised by fans and pundits alike. Chicho Lorenzo, father of three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo, described Marquez’s current pace as “terrifying,” pointing to his unmatched consistency and aggression.
Marquez’s dominance is not only a personal success but also a psychological blow to Bagnaia, who was expected to lead Ducati as their golden boy. Now, the dynamic has shifted—with Marquez becoming the new benchmark.
Can Bagnaia Bounce Back?
The next race at Assen, the iconic Dutch circuit, could be a turning point. Known for its fast, flowing corners, the track has traditionally suited Bagnaia’s smooth riding style. However, unless Ducati identifies a solution to the front-end instability, the issues are likely to persist.
Bagnaia remains hopeful but realistic: “The problems are the same since the start of the season. We know what’s wrong—but fixing it has proven harder than expected.”
What Needs to Change?
For Bagnaia to reclaim his form and re-enter the title fight, Ducati must:
- Resolve the front tyre degradation problem.
- Reassess his bike setup for tighter, more consistent control.
- Provide mental and technical support as pressure mounts from Marquez’s success.
If these issues aren’t addressed soon, Bagnaia’s title defense may crumble entirely—not from lack of talent, but from unresolved mechanical and setup deficiencies.
Conclusion
As the 2025 MotoGP season progresses, Francesco Bagnaia is in a new position—chasing rather than leading. With a fast-closing gap between him and second place, and Marquez pulling away, time is running out. The reigning champion’s struggle isn’t just a slump—it’s a warning sign. Unless Ducati delivers a breakthrough, MotoGP 2025 may mark the end of Bagnaia’s reign.