Francesco Bagnaia has no realistic chance of winning the 2025 MotoGP title barring an extraordinary turnaround. Ahead of this weekend\u2019s Austrian Grand Prix, he sits 168 points behind in the championship.<\/p>\n
For reference, Bagnaia<\/a> 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 \u2013 he\u2019ll want to beat Alex Marquez to second place, but also recover his confidence on the bike.<\/p>\n Bagnaia needs to find some cause for optimism heading into the off-season. Marquez\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n CATEGORYVOL.Points213Wins1Poles1Podiums7Sprint wins0Sprint podiums5Francesco Bagnaia\u2019s 2025 season so far<\/p>\n With no fundamental changes to the bikes next year ahead of the significant 2027 regulation changes, Marquez<\/a> will be the overwhelming favourite. But Bagnaia will have an extra incentive as his contract comes up for renegotiation, with some of the grid\u2019s biggest stars likely keeping tabs.<\/p>\n Luigi Dall\u2019Igna would be delighted to split titles between Ducati riders<\/p>\n In an interview with Motosprint<\/a>, Ducati boss Luigi Dall\u2019Igna<\/a> was asked whether he\u2019d be happy to see his riders win a championship apiece. Marquez has symbolically made the team his own since he stepped up from Gresini.<\/p>\n But Dall\u2019Igna says he\u2019d \u2018immediately\u2019 accept this scenario. Ducati have repeatedly expressed their support for Bagnaia<\/a> in the midst of an unrecognisable season.<\/p>\n Privately, Ducati are thought to be \u2018distressed\u2019 by Bagnaia\u2019s form<\/a>, which suggests limited confidence in a revival. Still, the factory duo continue to receive equal treatment.<\/p>\n \u201cA world championship this year for Marquez, and next year for Pecco? I\u2019d accept immediately, regardless of the chronological order,\u201d Dall\u2019Igna said. \u201cAs I always explain, the two names boast the same level of focus and the same technical package.\u201d<\/p>\n Marquez was more positive than Bagnaia about the GP25<\/a> and, in hindsight, the two-time world champion may have been more comfortable remaining on last year\u2019s bike.<\/p>\n Francesco Bagnaia echoes Valentino Rossi amid Marc Marquez battle<\/p>\n