Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has dismissed suggestions that reigning MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia is feeling the pressure from Marc Marquez’s dominant start to the 2025 season. While acknowledging that the team is still trying to understand the issues Bagnaia is facing—particularly with the front end of the GP25—Tardozzi remains confident that Bagnaia will soon be able to challenge Marquez on equal terms.
Speaking to TNT Sport after the Argentina Grand Prix, Tardozzi revealed that a small but significant problem on the bike is affecting Bagnaia’s performance, especially in left-hand corners.
“I just spoke with Pecco,” Tardozzi said. “There is a small problem with the bike that isn’t giving him the right feeling on left corners. But we trust him, and within one or two races, I’m sure he’ll be back.”
While Marquez has dominated the opening rounds of the season, winning both sprints and grand prix races, Bagnaia has struggled to match his pace. Despite this, Tardozzi remains optimistic, especially with upcoming races that could play to Bagnaia’s strengths.
“We know that COTA is like a dream track for Marc Marquez,” he admitted. “But in Qatar, we expect Pecco to be fighting with him for the win.”
Tardozzi praised Bagnaia’s composure and emphasized the importance of staying consistent while the team works through the technical challenges.
“It’s a difficult job to support him, but he’s staying focused and collecting important points,” Tardozzi added. “Third place, fourth place—these points will matter later. He must not waste them.”
Addressing speculation that Marquez’s dominance is increasing pressure on Bagnaia, Tardozzi firmly denied any concerns.
“I don’t think he’s under pressure,” he insisted. “There’s something we haven’t fully understood yet—not even Pecco. We’re missing something in the settings, and we need to find it. He’s not riding like he did at the end of last year, and he doesn’t have confidence in the front at all. That’s the key problem we see in the data.”
To help Bagnaia regain his competitive edge, Ducati is working closely with technical director Gigi Dall’Igna and the engineering team to develop a new approach for race weekends.
“We’ve already had discussions with Gigi and the engineers, and Pecco is involved too,” Tardozzi said. “We’ll try a new strategy for race weekends to help him get up to speed from Friday onwards. I’m sure we’ll find a solution soon.”
As the season progresses, Ducati remains committed to supporting Bagnaia’s title defense while adapting to the challenge posed by Marquez’s impressive form on the factory Ducati machinery. With key races on the horizon, the team is hopeful that adjustments to the bike and race strategy will allow Bagnaia to return to the front of the pack.
