Francesco Bagnaia has no realistic chance of winning the 2025 MotoGP title barring an extraordinary turnaround. Ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, he sits 168 points behind in the championship.

For reference, Bagnaia would still be behind Marquez if he produced four perfect weekends (Sprint victory plus a Grand Prix win) and the Spaniard failed to score. His objectives likely changed long ago – he’ll want to beat Alex Marquez to second place, but also recover his confidence on the bike.

Bagnaia needs to find some cause for optimism heading into the off-season. Marquez’s crash at the Americas GP handed the Italian his only victory of the year so far, but a victory on pure pace between now and Valencia could change the narrative.

CATEGORYVOL.Points213Wins1Poles1Podiums7Sprint wins0Sprint podiums5Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 season so far

With no fundamental changes to the bikes next year ahead of the significant 2027 regulation changes, Marquez will be the overwhelming favourite. But Bagnaia will have an extra incentive as his contract comes up for renegotiation, with some of the grid’s biggest stars likely keeping tabs.

Luigi Dall’Igna would be delighted to split titles between Ducati riders

In an interview with Motosprint, Ducati boss Luigi Dall’Igna was asked whether he’d be happy to see his riders win a championship apiece. Marquez has symbolically made the team his own since he stepped up from Gresini.

But Dall’Igna says he’d ‘immediately’ accept this scenario. Ducati have repeatedly expressed their support for Bagnaia in the midst of an unrecognisable season.

Privately, Ducati are thought to be ‘distressed’ by Bagnaia’s form, which suggests limited confidence in a revival. Still, the factory duo continue to receive equal treatment.

“A world championship this year for Marquez, and next year for Pecco? I’d accept immediately, regardless of the chronological order,” Dall’Igna said. “As I always explain, the two names boast the same level of focus and the same technical package.”

Marquez was more positive than Bagnaia about the GP25 and, in hindsight, the two-time world champion may have been more comfortable remaining on last year’s bike.

Francesco Bagnaia echoes Valentino Rossi amid Marc Marquez battle

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro feels ‘sorry’ for Bagnaia, who is already a legendary rider for the brand. He says the engineers have tried everything to help, but ‘sometimes it’s not enough’.

Back in 2011, Valentino Rossi struggled on the Ducati after Casey Stoner’s success. He couldn’t emulate the ‘very special’ riding style that was needed to optimise the bike.

Bagnaia sounds like his mentor this year. In his eyes, Marquez has thrived in spite of the GP25.

He’s far from the first elite-level rider to be thrashed by the Ant of Cervera. Ex-Honda rider Dani Pedrosa will feel particularly empathetic.