Francesco Bagnaia frustrated after Thai GP as Ducati backs Marquez

Francesco Bagnaia reflects on missed opportunities in Thailand as Ducati engineers shift focus to Marc Marquez.

Francesco Bagnaia of Italy and Ducati Lenovo Team waves after finishing third at the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on March 2, 2025. Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Francesco Bagnaia endured a frustrating start to his MotoGP title defense at the Thailand Grand Prix. Despite running near the front throughout the weekend, he was unable to break into the top two, finishing third behind the Marquez brothers. While a podium result typically bodes well for a championship campaign, the manner in which Bagnaia was outpaced by Marc Marquez raised serious questions about Ducati’s internal dynamics.

Marquez, in his debut race for Gresini Ducati, was the fastest Ducati rider all weekend. He edged out his teammate in qualifying by just under two-tenths of a second and maintained his advantage in the sprint race. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez also managed to finish ahead of Bagnaia, adding to the reigning champion’s frustration.

Bagnaia struggles with tyre issues as Marquez dominates

Sunday’s Grand Prix followed a similar pattern. Marquez initially led the race but had to relinquish his position due to a drop in tyre pressures on his Desmosedici GP25. This provided Bagnaia with an opportunity to challenge, yet he found himself unable to capitalize. The Italian revealed that each time he got within half a second, he had to back off due to temperature issues, making any sustained attack impossible.

The sight of his new teammate commanding the race while he struggled for grip left Bagnaia visibly dejected. Having established himself as Ducati’s undisputed number-one rider over the past two seasons, he now faces a serious challenge from the six-time MotoGP champion.

Ducati’s leadership reassures Bagnaia

MotoGP’s official channel later released unseen footage from the Thailand GP weekend, showing a candid conversation between Bagnaia and Ducati’s leadership. In the video, team manager Davide Tardozzi and general manager Luigi Dall’Igna attempted to reassure their star rider.

Tardozzi reminded Bagnaia that a podium was still a strong result, even if it did not meet his expectations. Dall’Igna emphasized that the race should be seen as damage limitation in the context of the championship, hinting that Ducati is playing the long game.

“We start the season on the podium,” Tardozzi said. “You’re not happy, but it’s okay. When you are on the podium, it means that you’ve done something good.”

Dall’Igna added: “Remember last year. It’s important.”

Bagnaia acknowledged the need to finish races but remained determined to analyze what went wrong. His disappointment was evident, particularly as Ducati’s attention seemed to shift toward Marquez, who returned to the garage celebrating his impressive debut with Gresini.

A new challenge for Ducati’s reigning champion

Bagnaia’s frustration extended beyond the race itself. During the post-race press conference, he attempted to leave early after growing impatient with the overwhelming focus on the Marquez brothers. Journalists directed most of their questions at the duo, leaving Bagnaia feeling sidelined despite finishing on the podium.

The reigning champion entered the weekend as an underdog after Marquez’s strong performance in pre-season testing, but few expected the shift in Ducati’s internal dynamics to happen so quickly. Adding to the speculation, Dall’Igna was caught on the world feed cameras kissing Marquez’s bike in the paddock.

While some saw this as a symbolic gesture of Ducati’s preference for its new star, eyewitnesses later clarified that he also kissed the Gresini motorcycle and Bagnaia’s Ducati. This act was reportedly a celebration of Ducati’s overall dominance rather than a sign of favoritism.

Motivation for the season ahead

As Bagnaia prepares for the next round in Argentina, he will be determined to reassert his authority within Ducati. With Marquez proving to be an immediate threat, the reigning champion knows he cannot afford to let his new rival dictate the narrative.

While Ducati may have welcomed Marquez with open arms, Bagnaia remains their defending champion. The coming races will reveal whether he can reclaim his position as the team’s clear leader or if Marquez’s arrival will permanently shift the balance of power within the Italian manufacturer.