The Mystery of Bagnaia’s Performance in 2025
One of the most intriguing puzzles of the 2025 MotoGP season revolves around Francesco Bagnaia’s striking performance shift. How could he clinch back-to-back victories at Motegi yet plunge back into his previous struggles shortly after?
Arrival at Motegi
Bagnaia came to Motegi following a disappointing stretch of five races without a podium, culminating in a zero-point finish at his home race in Misano. An official test day preceded the race, where VR46 confirmed that one of Franco Morbidelli’s GP24 machines was offered to the struggling two-time MotoGP champion.
Success at Motegi
What was uncovered during those tests appeared to yield impressive results at Motegi. After grappling with corner entry problems throughout the season, Bagnaia showcased his former prowess by securing pole position with a new lap record. He led every lap in both the Sprint and the grand prix, with only a minor mechanical issue threatening his performance on Sunday.
Post-Motegi Struggles
However, the optimism stemming from Motegi quickly dissipated when Bagnaia qualified 16th and scored no points in Mandalika, a trend that continued in Phillip Island. A slight return to form at Sepang featured pole and a Sprint victory, yet he failed to reach the podium again, suffering a puncture in Malaysia and three subsequent non-scores in the final four races.
A Call for Clarity
Feeling vs. Results
Despite his Sepang Sprint win being by a larger margin than at Motegi, Bagnaia highlighted a significant difference in how he felt on the bike. “In Japan, I had my best feel for the bike this season, reminiscent of last year,” he stated, contrasting it with his experience in Sepang.
Challenges and Adaptation
While acknowledging the Ducati team’s efforts in enhancing his experience on the GP25, Bagnaia admitted his struggle to adapt to a package that succeeded with teammate Marc Marquez. “I’m not great at adapting to things I dislike, which is my weakness,” he confessed, adding, “I strive to provide detailed feedback to my team, but my best performances stemmed more from improved comfort on the bike than adaptation.”
