BAGNAIA FACES POSSIBLE INTERNAL CONSEQUENCES AFTER “ORCHESTRATED” COMMENTS TO DI GIANNANTONIO

A viral exchange between Francesco Bagnaia and fellow Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio after the San Marino Grand Prix has raised fresh questions about Bagnaia’s situation at Ducati and the stability of his relationships within the paddock. The moment circulated after Bagnaia, speaking off the record near a DAZN microphone, told Di Giannantonio that Ducati “won’t let him change his set-up” to adopt the more straightforward approach associated with VR46.

The comments have been framed as serious because they appear to point to tension between Bagnaia and his team at a time when his results have deteriorated. Bagnaia suffered a third consecutive DNF at Misano and has not scored a point since before the summer break. While he can argue he was not speaking on the record, the fact that the footage was released has still created potential contractual and internal fallout.

Journalist Diego Lacave, speaking on Nico Abad’s YouTube channel, suggested the incident may not have been accidental. He claimed the conversation was “done on purpose,” describing it as an attempt to control the narrative around Bagnaia’s decline at Ducati. Lacave said, “He doesn’t want to work on the aspect the team is asking him to – the mental side of things,” adding that Bagnaia “insists he’s doing everything right, and that’s that.” Lacave also argued that the timing and context make it unlikely the exchange was the first time the two riders had discussed Ducati’s performance, noting that both belong to the VR46 universe.

According to Lacave, the information he has heard points to figures “dressed in yellow,” implying involvement from the VR46 camp. He said, “I’m told this was absolutely orchestrated, and it makes perfect sense to me,” and added, “I don’t believe for a second that this conversation was the first one Mr. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Mr. Pecco Bagnaia have had about how the Ducati is performing.” Lacave warned that even if Bagnaia’s words were not intended as public criticism, he could still be “on shaky ground,” because his contract forbids badmouthing his brand in public statements.

A separate report from Fanpage indicated Bagnaia could face “a substantial slap on the wrist” ahead of the Austrian GP, with the likely consequence being a reminder about protecting “confidential” information rather than a major punishment.

For now, Bagnaia remains the only rider to have won multiple MotoGP championships on a Ducati, but the viral exchange suggests the relationship could be heading toward a more acrimonious end as he prepares for his next chapter.