Valentino Rossi, a legendary figure in the world of MotoGP, has weighed in on the ongoing struggles of Francesco Bagnaia, one of Ducati's top riders. Rossi, known for his keen insight into the sport, believes that Bagnaia's recent difficulties are not solely his fault, but rather a result of a lack of effort from Ducati in supporting their star rider.
In a recent interview with Sky Italia, Rossi expressed his concerns about the cooling atmosphere between Bagnaia and Ducati, stating, 'I’ve noticed that, following the events of last year, the atmosphere between them has cooled significantly.' He emphasized the importance of mutual commitment, saying, 'I would like to see Ducati commit themselves just as much as Pecco does in the effort to get back to the front.'
Rossi's comments come in the wake of Bagnaia's struggles since the start of the 2025 season. Despite flashes of pace and occasional victories, Bagnaia has failed to make a definitive breakthrough, leading to increasing friction between both sides.
Ducati's decision to replace Bagnaia in 2027 with Pedro Acosta from KTM has further complicated matters. Rossi, however, remains hopeful that Bagnaia can turn things around, especially given his strong performance at Le Mans, where he took pole position and finished second in the Sprint.
Bagnaia, however, distanced himself from Rossi's comments, insisting that he feels Ducati is just as committed as he is on finding a solution for his woes. He said, 'What Vale said is just assumption. He sees what I do at home, but he doesn’t see what they’re doing at Ducati.'
Despite the ongoing tensions, Rossi's insights offer a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by Bagnaia and Ducati. His emphasis on mutual effort and commitment highlights the delicate balance between a rider's performance and the support they receive from their team.
As the season progresses, the fate of Bagnaia and Ducati remains uncertain. Rossi's comments serve as a reminder that the success of a rider is often intertwined with the support and effort of their team, a dynamic that is crucial in the highly competitive world of MotoGP.
