Bagnaia’s frustration with the Ducati GP25

Francesco Bagnaia has had a difficult start to the season and has hinted at a possible switch to the Ducati GP24 starting from the Americas GP.

Francesco Bagnaia is seen before the main race session of the Argentine Grand Prix at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on March 16, 2025 in Rio Hondo, Argentina. (c) Gold & Goose/LAT Images

The 2025 MotoGP season is off to a rough start for Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. After dominating much of last year, the reigning two-time world champion is struggling to keep up. Two races in, he finds himself trailing Marc Marquez by 31 points, sitting third in the standings behind Alex Marquez.

Marc, on the other hand, is in unstoppable form, winning both races so far and setting himself up as the early title favorite. Meanwhile, Bagnaia is searching for answers—and he might have found one. The Ducati star is now considering a switch back to the GP24, the bike that took him to 11 wins last season.

Bagnaia’s struggles have been evident from the opening round in Thailand, where he finished third, followed by a fourth-place result in Argentina. The GP25, despite being an evolution of last year’s bike, isn’t giving him the confidence he needs.

“We made progress during the weekend,” Bagnaia told Motorsport. “But I’m still missing something, especially in terms of rear tyre control. It’s quite strange considering the bike is very similar to last year.”

For a rider known for his precision and ability to push the limit, that “missing something” is a big deal. If he can’t find his comfort zone, switching back to the GP24 might be the best solution.

GP24 vs. GP25: What’s the difference?

On paper, the GP25 isn’t drastically different from the GP24. Ducati even decided to take a conservative approach, scrapping a planned new engine for a more familiar setup.

Yet, subtle changes seem to be affecting Bagnaia’s riding style.

“It feels very strange,” he admitted. “Maybe from the next race, I will go back to the GP24. At the moment, I don’t feel comfortable with the bike I’m using.”

It’s a telling statement. If the factory Ducati is struggling while the GP24 remains competitive, then maybe the 2025 development hasn’t worked as planned.

Why the GP24 still holds up in 2025

The Ducati GP24 might be last year’s model, but it’s still a serious contender. Alex Marquez has finished second in both races so far, even pushing his brother Marc until the final laps in Argentina. Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli took the GP24 to a podium finish with the VR46 team.

That raises an interesting question: is the GP24 actually better than the GP25?

If Bagnaia makes the switch and suddenly finds himself back at the front, it could suggest that Ducati’s latest bike isn’t as strong as expected. That would be a major concern for the factory team.

The implications for Ducati

If Ducati’s star rider ditches their newest bike for last year’s model, it won’t look good. The factory team is supposed to have the best machinery on the grid, but if the GP24 outperforms the GP25, it could lead to serious questions about Ducati’s development direction.

It would also put Ducati in a tricky situation. Supporting Bagnaia’s switch would mean acknowledging that their latest bike isn’t as competitive as it should be. On the other hand, forcing him to stick with the GP25 could risk losing valuable championship points.

So far, Ducati hasn’t made any official comment on the matter. But with the American GP coming up, a decision will need to be made quickly.

A crucial race in Austin

The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) could be a defining moment for Bagnaia’s season. If he stays on the GP25 and continues to struggle, the gap to Marc Marquez could grow even wider. But if he switches to the GP24 and returns to the front, it could mark the start of his comeback.

The real question is whether Ducati will let him make the change. A move back to the GP24 could spark internal debates about the team’s development process and whether they need to rethink their 2025 strategy.

One thing is certain: with Marc Marquez in top form, Alex Marquez gaining strength, and Bagnaia at a crossroads, the 2025 MotoGP season is already shaping up to be a thriller.

Now, all eyes are on Austin. Will Bagnaia take the risk and go back to the GP24? Or will he double down on the GP25 and try to make it work? The answer will be revealed at COTA!