Francesco Bagnaia, a two-time MotoGP champion, recently shared a surprising fact: his race time at the Austrian Grand Prix was 12 seconds slower than in 2024. Remarkably, this year’s winner, Marc Marquez, finished in the same time it took Bagnaia to win last season.
“The winner completed the race in the same duration that I did last year. So, I know I have the potential,” he mentioned to DAZN. He added, “I cannot comprehend why things aren’t going my way. Both Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez performed better than I did. Finishing 12 seconds behind at a track where I usually excel is beyond my understanding.”
This statement highlights the downturn that has characterized Bagnaia’s 2025 season, as Marquez’s success has moved him closer to a seventh world title. But how significant has Bagnaia’s decline been this year compared to his impressive 2024 performance?
Comparing 2024 with 2025
By the mid-September Emilia Romagna GP in 2024, Bagnaia had already achieved seven race wins and made 10 podium finishes overall. Notably, even in sprint races, previously a weak point, he had secured four wins and two additional top-three placements by this time last year.
Despite showing up on the podium in half of the 14 races this year, with only one win in 2025, the Italian rider’s perspective seems quite gloomy. In sprint races, his situation is even more dire, struggling with fuel tank issues, resulting in only five podiums from 14 tries—one of which occurred in the last nine race weekends.
Analyzing Performance: 2025 vs. 2024
A more precise evaluation requires a focus on races where Bagnaia participated in both years, excluding new or returning events. The table below illustrates Bagnaia’s finishing positions in several races across the two seasons:
| Race | 2025 Position | 2024 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 3rd | 1st |
| Americas | 1st | 5th |
| Qatar | 2nd | 1st |
| Spain | 3rd | 1st |
| Austria | 8th | 1st |
| Average Position | 4.6 | 1.8 |
Race Time Analysis
To gain insights into Bagnaia’s race pace, comparing his race times from 2025 to 2024 can provide a clearer picture. While various factors such as weather and bike development should be considered, the data does illustrate notable discrepancies in performance this season.
For example, at Sachsenring, Marquez’s total race time in 2025 was slower than Bagnaia’s 2024 time, yet Bagnaia himself exhibited a significant drop in performance by seven seconds—including in races where conditions affected all competitors. Overall, while the race pace may not have changed significantly, it’s evident that Bagnaia has encountered substantial challenges this season.
