Francesco Bagnaia struggles with fuel tank changes in MotoGP sprint races

Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia faces braking and cornering issues due to fuel tank adjustments in the 2025 MotoGP Sprint Race format.

Francesco Bagnaia of Italy and Ducati Lenovo Team arrives on the grid for the MotoGP of Thailand sprint race at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on March 1, 2025. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

Oleh Hayu Andini and Sarah Oktaviany

Francesco Bagnaia faced a significant challenge in the 2025 Thailand MotoGP Sprint Race, where he finished third after fending off Ai Ogura for 13 laps. The two-time world champion noted that the reduced fuel tank capacity for sprint races altered his Ducati’s handling, making it difficult to brake and enter corners effectively.

Despite his past success in sprint races—winning seven alongside Jorge Martin last season—Bagnaia’s struggles with the shorter format cost him the 2024 world title. Now, he is determined to adapt and overcome these difficulties as the 2025 season unfolds.

Fuel tank changes impact Ducati’s performance

Bagnaia highlighted the key difference between a full-length race and a sprint race—the fuel tank capacity. MotoGP regulations require a smaller fuel tank for sprint races, which significantly affects the bike’s dynamics, particularly in braking and corner entry.

"There is a scientific reason why I struggle in the sprint," Bagnaia explained. "We tried to understand it, and honestly, the only thing that changes from the long-distance races is the fuel tank—it’s smaller according to the regulations."

This modification disrupts the balance of the bike, forcing Bagnaia to adapt his riding style. He admitted that braking and cornering became more challenging, affecting his overall race performance.

Ducati exploring solutions to improve sprint performance

To address the issue, Bagnaia and his Ducati team have been testing different setups. He revealed that during testing, he conducted a Sprint Race simulation using a larger fuel tank, which resulted in improved performance. However, since the regulations do not allow for larger tanks in actual sprint races, Ducati must find alternative solutions.

"I did a test with a bigger fuel tank, and I was faster," Bagnaia noted. "But that's something you can't do under the regulations. We’ve been trying different setups and changes on the bike to compensate for it."

Bagnaia and his team will continue experimenting with bike settings to minimize the impact of fuel tank changes, aiming for a more competitive performance in upcoming sprint races.

Struggles intensify when chasing other riders

In addition to the fuel tank adjustments, Bagnaia identified another major challenge: difficulty in overtaking. He explained that when starting from the front, the handling issues were less noticeable. However, when stuck behind another rider, he found it nearly impossible to close the gap.

"When I start in front, this problem is not so noticeable because, without a slipstream and without anyone in front, I can push harder on the brakes," Bagnaia said. "But if there's someone ahead of me, I get stuck for 10 or 15 laps with a one-second gap, and I can't catch them. It’s quite a big problem, and we're working on a solution."

Bagnaia admitted that this issue has persisted for two seasons, and Ducati is still searching for an effective way to counteract it. Finding a balance between the sprint race setup and full-race performance remains a top priority for the Italian rider.

Bagnaia determined to improve sprint race performance

Despite the setbacks, Bagnaia remains focused on adapting to the sprint race format. With his experience and Ducati’s technical expertise, he aims to develop a strategy that will allow him to perform at his best throughout the season.

The 2025 Thailand MotoGP Sprint Race provided valuable insights into the adjustments needed for future races. As Bagnaia and Ducati analyze their data, they will work toward solutions that could give them a competitive edge in upcoming sprint races.

The next challenge for Bagnaia is to refine his approach and ensure he remains a strong contender in both sprint and full-length MotoGP races this season.