The MotoGP paddock is abuzz with controversy as two-time world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia has hinted at a potential exit from Ducati, citing “tension” within the team over perceived engine bias favoring teammate Marc Márquez. Bagnaia’s explosive comments, including the provocative statement “It’s time to leave” posted on X on August 17, 2025, follow a frustrating season where he has struggled to match Márquez’s dominance on the Ducati GP25. The Italian’s remarks have fueled speculation about a rift with Ducati, particularly after his outspoken criticism of the team’s engine development and its apparent alignment with Márquez’s riding style.
Bagnaia’s 2025 season has been a stark contrast to his championship-winning campaigns in 2022 and 2023. His struggles were evident at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 23, 2025, where he qualified 15th and finished 13th in the sprint race, later improving to ninth in the main race. Speaking to DAZN, Bagnaia expressed frustration with the GP25’s front-end feel, particularly under braking, a strength of his riding style that has been compromised this season. His comments in Austria, where he finished eighth, 12 seconds behind race-winner Márquez, were particularly pointed. Bagnaia demanded answers from Ducati, stating, “I’m running out of patience,” and suggested the bike’s development favored Márquez, who has won 13 sprint races and leads the championship by 197 points.
The core issue lies in Ducati’s engine choice for 2025. During pre-season testing in Buriram, Bagnaia and Márquez opted to revert to the 2024 GP24 engine after finding the new GP25 engine lacking in braking stability, a decision confirmed by team manager Davide Tardozzi on February 15, 2025. However, Bagnaia has since suggested that the team’s setup tweaks and development path have catered to Márquez’s aggressive, slide-heavy style, leaving him unable to extract the same performance. This perception of bias has created tension, with Bagnaia feeling sidelined despite his status as a double world champion. Reports from The Race indicate that Ducati’s technical director Gigi Dall’Igna acknowledged a “mental component” to Bagnaia’s struggles, suggesting the team is working to address his confidence issues.
Márquez’s dominance has intensified the scrutiny on Bagnaia. The Spaniard’s ability to adapt to the GP25, as noted by former engineer Juan Martinez, allows him to extract pace regardless of the bike’s setup, a versatility Bagnaia lacks. This was evident in Hungary, where Márquez topped practice sessions, finishing just 0.006 seconds behind Pedro Acosta, while Bagnaia languished in 14th. Social media posts on X, including one from @RuizSantaclara on August 15, 2025, quoted Casey Stoner praising Márquez’s rapid adaptation to Ducati, further highlighting the performance gap. Bagnaia’s struggles have led to whispers of a potential move to another manufacturer, with Honda’s financial backing mentioned as a possible lure by Motorcyclesports.net.
Ducati’s response has been measured but firm. Dall’Igna, in comments reported by Motorsport.com, emphasized the team’s commitment to Bagnaia, stating, “Pecco won’t give up. We’ve been in this together since the start of the year.” However, team manager Tardozzi, speaking to Crash.net on August 22, 2025, urged Bagnaia to adopt the “right attitude” to overcome his challenges, hinting at frustration within the team. The decision to stick with the 2024 engine for 2025 and 2026, due to the upcoming engine freeze, limits Ducati’s ability to address Bagnaia’s concerns, potentially exacerbating tensions.
Bagnaia’s outspokenness has not gone unnoticed by his peers. Franco Morbidelli, quoted in AutoHebdoF1, expressed disappointment that the anticipated Bagnaia-Márquez duel has not materialized, with Márquez dominating while Bagnaia struggles. The Italian’s comments have also drawn criticism for lacking accountability, with paddock insider Carlos Pernat noting Bagnaia’s tendency to blame the bike rather than adapt, as reported on Reddit on May 24, 2025. Despite this, Bagnaia’s ninth-place finish in Hungary showed signs of progress, with the rider noting a “good feeling” in the race, suggesting a potential turning point.
As the MotoGP season heads to Aragon, Bagnaia faces mounting pressure to deliver. His contract with Ducati runs through 2026, but the specter of rising stars like Fermín Aldeguer and Alonso Fernández, combined with Márquez’s dominance, raises questions about his long-term future. The “It’s time to leave” comment may have been a heat-of-the-moment outburst, but it has exposed underlying tensions within Ducati. Whether Bagnaia can adapt to the GP25 or if Ducati will adjust to suit his style remains uncertain. For now, the drama surrounding his comments has added intrigue to a season already defined by Márquez’s brilliance and Ducati’s internal challenges, with the paddock watching closely to see if Bagnaia can reclaim his championship form or if his time with Ducati is nearing its end.
