What Pecco Bagnaia found out by rewatching his best MotoGP races
Two-time MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia hopes time in front of the television will help him find his form

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Photo by: Ducati Corse
Watch: What We Learned on Friday | 2025 Austrian GP
Francesco Bagnaia has revealed that he spent part of MotoGP’s summer break rewatching races from recent years to convince himself that the current Ducati doesn’t suit his riding style – and to reignite his hunger to find the speed he once had.
Given his impressive track record and his status as a double world champion, this year has been Bagnaia’s toughest since his debut in the premier class back in 2019.
In his early years with Pramac Ducati, the Turin native was asked to have fun and gain experience. In 2021, as an official Ducati rider, he finished runner-up in the championship, setting up his back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, before Jorge Martin edged him to the crown last season.
This year, however, the arrival of Marc Marquez at Ducati’s factory team – and the overwhelming superiority the Catalan has shown – has left Bagnaia exposed. Even more so considering that Alex, the younger Marquez brother, is also ahead of Bagnaia in the standings.
At odds with the current Desmosedici GP25 since winter testing began, Bagnaia has repeatedly said he can’t exploit the strengths of his riding style with it – especially when braking and entering corners.
The contrast between Marquez (eight double wins and 10 Sunday podiums) and Bagnaia (one grand prix win and seven Sunday podiums) is so stark it would make anyone doubt themselves. Bagnaia attempted to erase said doubts this summer by revisiting past performances in which he was able to make a difference on the bike.
“Over the summer, apart from the first week when I rested a lot, I analysed many things from the past,” he revealed as the MotoGP circus returns to action in Austria this weekend. “I watched races from the last few years and then compared them to the first half of this season. It looks like I’m a different rider.

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
“The conclusion is that my riding style has not adapted to this year’s bike. It won’t be easy because I’ll have to change many things, since the bike’s DNA has changed. That’s why we’ll have to go step by step.”
Bagnaia said he had watched the reruns not only to gain technical insights but also for the mental aspect: “I picked my best past races and reviewed them, also to remind myself of what I was capable of doing, and where I want to be.”
Despite the difficulties he’s facing, Bagnaia has set himself the goal of improving his feel with the GP25: “In my mind, the goal is to recover my speed; the results will come afterwards. But first I need to feel good with the bike – not fight against it.”
Bagnaia’s first chance to resume that quest came in Free Practice 1 this morning at the Red Bull Ring.
While Bagnaia was part of a Ducati 1-2 at the top of the timesheets, his best lap was 0.310s shy of team-mate Marquez. Both riders ran the same tyre compounds throughout but, according to MotoGP data, Marquez fitted a new front tyre shortly before registering his best lap.
Photos from Austrian GP - Friday

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos

Austrian GP - Friday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
Top Comments


Yamaha bows to Jack Miller's pressure over 2026 Pramac MotoGP seat

“I never retired” – why Pol Espargaro isn’t done with full-time racing

Jack Miller has “options outside of Yamaha” as Pramac contract talks stall


Brake problems again behind lack of pace for Francesco Bagnaia at MotoGP Czech GP

How three different problems plagued Ducati's Czech GP sprint

Pecco Bagnaia: ‘I don’t remember ever being this slow in the wet’
Latest news

Denny Hamlin fires back after Mamba Smith's Daytona prank in viral X social media exchange

Ryan Blaney responds to Alex Bowman's promise of "seven million beers" with counter-offer

Leigh Diffey confronts criticism after Daytona regular season finale

Alexander Rossi thrilled for ECR’s Milwaukee success after “missed opportunities”
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.