Francesco Bagnaia says GP24 can surprise rivals and win in 2026

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Bagnaia backs the GP24 to remain competitive well beyond 2024

Francesco Bagnaia has no doubt that Ducati’s two-year-old GP24 would still be a race-winning bike in 2026.

After dominating most of his previous campaign, Bagnaia has struggled to find his form this year and is still searching for answers as to why things haven’t clicked into place.

The switch from the GP24 prototype – which was widely considered one of the best bikes on the grid – hasn’t been an easy transition. Bagnaia hasn’t looked comfortable since making the move.

Ducati’s Marc Marquez was consistently setting the pace, while Bagnaia found it difficult to challenge for podiums regularly.

He returned to full form at last year’s edition of the Japanese Grand Prix, producing a perfect weekend that saw him secure pole position and victory in both Sprint race and Grand Prix.

It later came to light that Bagnaia was using older-spec parts, and his form regressed yet again for the final five rounds of last season.

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Francesco Bagnaia is certain that the Ducati GP24 could still win races in MotoGP

Bagnaia, speaking ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, addressed the difficulties he and his teammate have faced so far this season.

The two-time world champion noted that Marc and Alex Marquez are now experiencing similar issues with the GP26, a contrast to last year when both were leading the championship standings.

Speaking to GPOne, he explained: “Last year I was struggling quite a bit, while he was over the moon and absolutely thrilled with the bike. This year it doesn’t seem that way, and our comments are more similar.”