PECCO BAGNAIA SAYS HIS 2026 DUCATI PROBLEMS ARE HIS TO ADAPT TO AFTER A TOUGH ARAGON RUN

Pecco Bagnaia says he’s living through “the worst period” of his MotoGP career as he struggles to get the grip he needs on Ducati’s GP26. Speaking ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, the double world champion described a problem that has intensified since the summer break and has shown up in recent results, including crashes that ended his races at both the British and Aragon rounds.

Bagnaia believes the solution isn’t simply more development. He told reporters: “I’m quite convinced we need old things,” adding that what he wants isn’t something Ducati can realistically deliver. “Like I said in Aragon, it’s surely the worst period because I know I can do better, but I cannot do it,” he said. “I’m struggling to adapt to this bike, and the last two weekends were very difficult.”

Despite the frustration, he insisted the focus must stay on adapting to the machine that is currently on the grid. “But it is what it is, and we need to rise like we did sometimes already in the past,” Bagnaia said. He also argued that Ducati is already working on improvements to the 2026 bike, but maintained that the answer isn’t a wholesale change in direction. “I think they are working. I’m quite convinced we don’t need new things,” he explained. “But, the bike is this one and other riders are fast with this one, so it’s my problem and I need to adapt to it.”

The comments underline a theme Bagnaia has returned to repeatedly since last year: his belief that he could be more competitive on Ducati’s earlier 2024-spec package. At Misano, he again referenced the potential he sees in that direction, this time in relation to the step Aprilia has made. Bagnaia’s message was clear—while he understands the broader development picture, he feels his own adaptation to the GP26 is the limiting factor.

Asked how he manages the emotional side of being stuck in a difficult stretch, Bagnaia acknowledged that frustration is unavoidable when the goal is to win. “I’m human,” he said. “Like I’m doing - working [is how I try to manage the situation].” He added: “Frustration is part of this job. It’s normal. It’s impossible not to be frustrated sometimes, and when you want to win, when you want to stay in front, it’s normal that when you are in this situation you get angry, you get frustrated.”

He framed the slump as part of a longer process and said it will be used as motivation. “But it’s part of the process, and it will give me motivation to improve.”

While Bagnaia battles adaptation issues on the GP26, Ducati’s season picture has been buoyed by teammate Marc Marquez, who is currently second in the standings, 19 points behind the lead, after taking his fourth win of the year at Aragon.