P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valentino Rossi has thrown his support behind Pecco Bagnaia amid tough season
Nine-time grand prix world champion Valentino Rossi commented on Pecco Bagnaia’s challenges in 2025, stating that Bagnaia has faced difficulties next to a strong team-mate like Marc Marquez. Despite winning two races, Bagnaia has not posed a serious threat to Marquez in the championship battle. Bagnaia’s performance dipped after the summer break, but he showed promise at the Japanese Grand Prix by winning both the sprint and the main race. His recent struggles, evident in the Australian and Indonesian Grand Prix, have raised concerns. Rossi expressed his support for Bagnaia, affirming his belief that Bagnaia will return to the forefront and compete for victories. Despite claims that Marquez’s presence has impacted Bagnaia negatively, both Bagnaia and Ducati have refuted these allegations, emphasizing a positive working relationship between the two riders. Ducati’s sporting director conveyed their commitment to supporting Bagnaia’s return to form alongside Marquez.
