Francesco Bagnaia has launched a volley of criticism against the current direction of MotoGP, questioning the wisdom of tire testing restrictions and dismissing proposed technical changes as a backward step for the sport.
All eyes are on Bagnaia as he rides high after three consecutive podiums heading into the Czech Republic for the season-deciding ninth round in Brno. The Ducati Lenovo team stalwart is keen to capitalize on the classic circuit’s layout – a track that plays to his strengths and has historically provided drama and unpredictability. But as anticipation grows for a crucial stage of the championship, Bagnaia’s candid assessment of the future of the series and his own challenges has enthused the paddock.
Brno, reputed for its old-fashioned character, is a favorite among riders who want a technical challenge over a soulless parking-lot layout. Bagnaia, a self-proclaimed devotee of the circuit, sounds confident: “Brno is a real track, not a parking lot, so you can really work on the setup of the bike,” he said, drawing a line under recent disappointments with less inspiring venues. His optimism comes despite last year’s heartbreak: “We had a good weekend here last year, even though a dashboard mistake cost me the podium in the sprint. Sunday’s race was tough at first, but then I found my rhythm. This year, the bike feels even better up front, and that should make me more competitive.”
But cracks are beginning to appear beneath the surface. Bagnaia admits he is still not riding “naturally”, struggling to adapt to the unpredictable behavior of his machine. “I’m still riding with my mind, not instinct. Sometimes the bike does things I don’t expect. The stable front helps, but I need to keep working in this direction – we’re getting there slowly but surely.”
What are not? For Bagnaia, it’s that elusive feeling of complete harmony with the bike. “Once I can ride naturally, I will be in the lead in the fight for wins. Right now, it’s not about registering more laps – it’s about getting everything to click. I’m having trouble with rear grip; when I bend, the rear moves out inconsistently. That’s my biggest limitation at the moment. The higher grip at Brno should help, and I hope the rear problems don’t crop up this weekend.”
As the championship battle heats up, a controversial test is looming. Leaving Bagnaia, many riders with 850cc bikes on Pirelli tires will remain in Brno for the post-race session. Their exclusion has left them disappointed and shocked. “I will not come here for trial – not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t,” he explained, his frustration evident. “The real issue is not losing the 850 – it’s not being able to try the Pirellis. It would be better to ride a 1000cc and sample the tires, but that’s not allowed. I guess Michelin doesn’t want any comparisons between brands. It’s a shame because we don’t use Pirellis in training, so I don’t know their DNA. We went to Valencia in December, with only one day of testing, completely unprepared. Will arrive. 1. This is a strange option.
Bagnia’s candor did not stop here. With MotoGP considering sweeping rule changes for 2027 – including grid rows of two, one bike per rider, and reducing pit crew sizes – he was harsh in his assessment. “I honestly disagree with all the proposals. Starting two-on-two with smaller bikes is weird. The only good thing is to ban launch devices for safety, but only have one bike? If you crash in qualifying, you take out the spare for the race without testing. It’s weird, just like having less people in the box. I don’t understand it, but luckily I don’t have to make the decision.”
Asked how the single-bike rule would affect riders, Bagnaia said bluntly: “It changes everything. You can’t work so hard, knowing you only have one bike. If you crash in qualifying, you race on a machine you’ve never raced on. It’s a big step forward for MotoGP.”
On the controversial issue of launch device restrictions, Bagnia remained pragmatic. “Now that everyone has advanced launch devices, removing them means there is no advantage to anyone. Maybe the Aprilia, with its extreme aerodynamics, will do less wheelies, but I don’t know how much it changes the lap time. It’s the right decision for safety, but I leave the call to the people in charge.”
Bagnaia’s candid comments put the future of MotoGP into stark relief. The series faces a crossroads: keep up with continued technological innovation, or risk alienating its top stars by turning back the clock. As the Czech weekend unfolds, the Italian’s performance and his sharp words could prove as decisive as anything that happens on track.
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