The 2025 MotoGP season has reached a boiling point following the Czech Grand Prix at Brno, where Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia’s frustrations erupted in a fiery post-race outburst. Finishing a distant fourth, the two-time MotoGP champion accused Ducati’s technical team of sidelining him in favor of teammate Marc Marquez, who dominated both the sprint and main race to extend his championship lead. Bagnaia’s claim, “I’m being sidelined,” reflects a growing rift within the Ducati Lenovo Team, as he struggles to match Marquez’s pace on the GP25. This dramatic clash has sparked intense debate about team dynamics, bike setup, and Bagnaia’s ability to reclaim his status as Ducati’s leading rider.

Bagnaia’s fourth-place finish at the Czech GP, 12.6 seconds behind Marquez, marked another chapter in a challenging season. Despite securing his first pole of 2025 in a chaotic qualifying session, where Marquez crashed out in Q2, Bagnaia couldn’t capitalize on his starting position. His race was compromised early by tyre pressure concerns, forcing him to drop back deliberately to spike his front tyre pressure in the slipstream of KTM’s Pedro Acosta. This tactical move, aimed at avoiding an eight-second penalty, cost him valuable positions, and he never recovered to challenge the podium. Marquez, meanwhile, executed a similar strategy but re-passed Acosta to claim victory, showcasing his adaptability. Bagnaia’s post-race comments pointed to deeper issues, as he lambasted the technical team for what he perceives as unequal treatment. “Only Marc was able to make the difference with our bike,” Bagnaia said, hinting that the GP25’s development has favored Marquez’s riding style.

Marquez’s dominance in 2025 is undeniable. The eight-time world champion has won eight grands prix and 11 sprints, leading the championship by 93 points over his brother Alex and 147 over Bagnaia. His ability to extract performance from the GP25, particularly in left-hand corners like those at Brno, has set a benchmark Bagnaia struggles to meet. Marquez’s crew chief, Frankie Carchedi, has tailored the bike’s balance to suit his aggressive style, with a new chassis introduced at Mugello enhancing front-end grip. Bagnaia, however, has repeatedly complained about front-end instability, a problem he attributes to subtle differences between his bike and Marquez’s. “It’s not the same feeling I had from 2021 to 2024,” he said, noting that the GP25’s sensitivity in corner entry disrupts his braking-heavy style. His suggestion to revert to the 2024-spec GP24 was dismissed by Ducati, who insist the current bike has greater potential.

The tension within Ducati’s garage is palpable. Bagnaia’s claim of being sidelined suggests a belief that the team’s resources and technical focus are skewed toward Marquez, who has revitalized Ducati’s title hopes after a stellar 2024 with Gresini Racing. Posts on X echo this sentiment, with fans noting that Marquez’s input has driven development, while Bagnaia’s struggles are met with less urgency. One user remarked, “Pecco’s threatening to use 2024 settings, but Marc’s making the GP25 sing.” Ducati’s technical director, Gigi Dall’Igna, has defended the team’s approach, emphasizing that both riders have access to identical machinery. However, Bagnaia’s comments about “small details” affecting his front-end feel suggest a disconnect in how the team addresses his setup needs compared to Marquez’s.

Bagnaia’s season has been a rollercoaster. His sole victory came at the Americas GP, where Marquez crashed out, but he has yet to beat his teammate in a straight fight. At tracks like Qatar and Jerez, where Bagnaia expected to shine, he was outpaced by both Marquez brothers. Alex Marquez, riding the GP24 for Gresini, finished second at Brno, further highlighting the gap between Bagnaia and the front-runners. Analysts have pointed to Bagnaia’s sensitivity to bike setup as a limiting factor. “Pecco needs everything perfect,” said Crash.net’s Lewis Duncan, contrasting him with Marquez, who “rides around problems.” This adaptability has allowed Marquez to dominate, even on tracks like Brno, where he historically struggled.

The Czech GP also exposed Ducati’s tyre pressure management issues, a recurring challenge in 2025. Both Marquez and Bagnaia faced potential penalties in the sprint, but Marquez’s strategic brilliance ensured he stayed within limits. Bagnaia’s seventh-place finish in the sprint, followed by fourth in the main race, left him visibly dejected. “I’ve tried everything,” he posted on X, signaling a need for a reset. With the season nearing its European climax, Bagnaia faces mounting pressure to close the 147-point gap to Marquez. Ducati’s decision to prioritize Marquez’s setup may reflect their confidence in his title chances, but it risks alienating Bagnaia, a proven champion. As the paddock heads to Silverstone, where Bagnaia has historically excelled, his ability to overcome technical challenges and restore confidence will be crucial. For now, Marquez’s relentless form and Bagnaia’s outspoken frustration have set the stage for a dramatic second half of the 2025 season.