Francesco Bagnaia admitted that Ducati’s 2026 MotoGP chassis “has never had the rear grip” it needs to win at the Sachsenring.
Persistent Rear‑Grip Problem
The Italian rider said that the front‑end quirks force him to rely heavily on the rear tyre, leaving it vulnerable to rapid wear. “We’re not able to use the rear for turning and accelerating,” he added, citing the bike’s handling failure as the core issue.
Bagnaia compared the situation to Alex Marquez at Gresini, who faced similar setbacks early on before the team found a workable solution. “Only I and Marquez suffer from this,” he said, hinting at a possible interim fix for Ducati.
Season Performance and Points
Despite scoring four consecutive Sunday podiums and a sprint win in the past two months, the rider’s season has taken a toll. Three technical mishaps cost the squad 40 points, leaving Bagnaia in eighth place—65 points behind class leader Jorge Martín.
He gave his campaign a 5.5 rating, acknowledging the consistent improvement while admitting the rear‑grip issue remains unsolved.
The 29‑year‑old’s forearm surgery earlier this month gives a window for recovery ahead of Silverstone on August 8.
Road Ahead and Team Prospects
Bagnaia’s final year with Ducati sits at the edge of the grid, with Aprilia confirming his move alongside Marco Bezzecchi in 2027. The summer break may bring insights, as Ducati hopes to mirror Gresini’s path to remediate rear‑contact deficiencies.
“I expect the team to figure out a solution before the next round,” he said, keeping focus on racing durability and grip mastery.
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