Bagnaia was in tears as he declared that signing for Ducati was the biggest mistake of his career, admitting that Yamaha was actually the club he had loved since he was a child. He also expressed his desire to move to Yamaha next season to make Ducati regret it. However, the immediate response from the Yamaha boss broke his heart.
In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock, two-time world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia dropped a bombshell during a press conference ahead of the 2025 Aragon Grand Prix. The Italian rider, visibly emotional, admitted that signing his long-term contract with Ducati was the “biggest mistake” of his career, revealing that Yamaha has always held a special place in his heart since childhood. Bagnaia, who has been a cornerstone of Ducati’s success, expressed a burning desire to switch to Yamaha for the 2026 season to prove a point to his current team. However, his hopes were swiftly crushed by a cold and unexpected response from Yamaha’s top boss, Paolo Pavesio, leaving Bagnaia heartbroken and the MotoGP world buzzing with speculation.
Bagnaia’s journey with Ducati has been nothing short of remarkable. Since his MotoGP debut with Pramac Racing in 2019, he has been a loyal servant to the Italian manufacturer, graduating to the factory team in 2021 and delivering back-to-back world championships in 2022 and 2023. His 25 premier class victories and a contract extension until 2026 cemented his status as Ducati’s golden boy. Yet, the 2025 season has been a nightmare for the 28-year-old. Struggling with the Desmosedici GP25’s lack of front-end confidence, Bagnaia has been overshadowed by teammate Marc Marquez, who leads the championship, and Gresini’s Alex Marquez, who has impressed on the GP24. Bagnaia’s third-place standing, 72 points behind the leader, reflects his frustration with a bike that no longer suits his riding style.
In a candid moment, Bagnaia’s emotions spilled over as he spoke to the media. “I made a mistake signing with Ducati for so long,” he said, tears welling in his eyes. “Growing up, I watched Valentino Rossi dominate on a Yamaha, and it was my dream to ride in blue. Yamaha was my first love, and I’ve always felt a connection to their spirit.” The admission stunned reporters, given Bagnaia’s deep ties to Ducati and his mentor Rossi’s legacy with both brands. He went on to express his desire to join Yamaha in 2026, stating, “I want to show Ducati what they’ve lost. I want to win with Yamaha and make them regret letting me go.” The bold declaration was a rare glimpse into Bagnaia’s inner turmoil, as he hinted at feeling underappreciated despite his achievements.
The MotoGP rumor mill had already been swirling with whispers of Yamaha’s interest in Bagnaia, especially as the Japanese manufacturer undergoes a renaissance under Pavesio’s leadership. With Fabio Quartararo leading their revival and the addition of Pramac as a satellite team in 2025, Yamaha is hungry for a second elite rider to restore their former glory. Reports from Italy suggested Yamaha was prepared to offer significant financial and technical incentives to lure him away from Ducati, despite his contract running until 2027. Fans even began circulating edits of Bagnaia in Yamaha’s iconic blue livery, fueling the speculation.
However, Bagnaia’s dreams were shattered almost immediately by Pavesio’s blunt response. When asked about the possibility of signing Bagnaia, the Yamaha boss dismissed the idea with a curt statement: “Pecco is a great rider, but we’re focused on building our future with riders fully committed to Yamaha’s vision. We don’t chase dreams; we create them.” The rejection was a dagger to Bagnaia’s heart, with sources close to the rider describing him as “devastated” by the lack of enthusiasm from the team he idolized. Pavesio’s comments suggested Yamaha is prioritizing stability with Quartararo and the incoming Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is set to join Pramac, over a risky move for a rider tied to a rival until 2027.
The fallout from Bagnaia’s confession has left the MotoGP community divided. Some fans admire his honesty and sympathize with his struggles, while others see his comments as disloyalty to Ducati, a team that has supported him since his debut. Veteran manager Carlo Pernat called the idea of Bagnaia leaving “absurd,” pointing to his long-term contract and Ducati’s faith in him. Meanwhile, Ducati’s general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, has remained silent, though insiders say the team is working tirelessly to address Bagnaia’s issues with the GP25. For now, Bagnaia faces a pivotal moment in his career, caught between his loyalty to Ducati and a childhood dream that seems out of reach. As the 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can rediscover his form or if his heart will continue to pull him toward Yamaha’s blue horizon.
