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Francesco Bagnaia faces deepening performance crisis

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2026-10-21 15:53 UTC → 2026-10-21 15:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Francesco Bagnaia’s technical struggles with the Ducati Desmosedici GP26 have evolved into a significant performance crisis. Following difficulties at Motegi, the rider faced a difficult weekend at MotorLand Aragon, where he failed to score points after finishing 11th in the sprint and crashing during the main race. Describing the experience as “humiliating,” Bagnaia cited a lack of rear tire grip that has persisted since Silverstone, stating, “I don't see a way out.” At the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano, Bagnaia reported having “zero” feeling for the machine due to severe issues with rear grip and engine braking. He suggested the team might have been more competitive using the previous year’s GP24 model. While Ducati manager Davide Tardozzi emphasized that trust remains intact and the brand will “try hard” to restore Bagnaia’s confidence, the rider has faced three consecutive race retirements and repeated Q1 qualifying sessions. Industry observers have expressed alarm. Former champion Dani Pedrosa advised Bagnaia to prioritize regaining riding feel over race results, while former Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso described the situation as a “really bad scenario,” noting that Bagnaia’s visible distress and public statements represent a level of struggle he has never witnessed before in his career. Reports have also surfaced regarding potential tensions between Bagnaia and the team concerning restrictions on testing certain standard setups.

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