P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The MotoGP paddock now knows Pecco Bagnaia tried some version of a Ducati GP24 in testing – and Ducati is making its rider’s life harder by being cagey about it
Ducati’s secrecy around Pecco Bagnaia testing Franco Morbidelli’s 2024-spec MotoGP bike at Misano has backfired, causing irritation and extensive speculation, despite Bagnaia’s recent dominant performance in the Japanese Grand Prix following the test.
Bagnaia and Ducati initially avoided confirming the test, with Bagnaia alluding to using past items to improve confidence and performance without directly acknowledging riding Morbidelli’s bike.
However, VR46 team boss Uccio Salucci ultimately revealed on MotoGP’s coverage that Bagnaia did indeed “borrow” Morbidelli’s bike for testing, triggering disapproval from the factory Ducati team.
This scenario has generated more uncertainty in MotoGP due to homologation rules preventing Bagnaia from using a 2024-spec engine at Motegi, potentially impacting his performance and causing struggles at Mandalika.
Bagnaia’s challenges in 2025 are believed to stem from a revised engine with different characteristics, complicating his riding style and performance until re-homologation in 2026.
