Francesco Bagnaia has suffered a third consecutive Sunday crash at the San Marino Grand Prix amid escalating friction over his Ducati setup. The two-time premier-class champion fell at Turn 2 on lap five at Misano, capping a pointless run since the Silverstone resumption.
Persistent rear grip issues have plagued the Italian on the GP26 machinery. While 2025 champion Marc Márquez currently leads the standings on identical factory equipment, Bagnaia finds himself struggling to stop the motorcycle.
Leaked Misano Setup Conversation
The structural deadlock became public through broadcaster television cameras in the Misano paddock. During an exchange captured by DAZN, VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio suggested his factory stablemate revert to a basic motorcycle configuration.
According to Grande Premio English, Bagnaia responded: “They won’t let me do it.”
The former champion had previously told motorsport.com that his garage remains completely baffled by the handling deficit.
“It’s extremely easy to see the difference between what my bike is doing compared to all the other Ducatis. Big, big difference, but difficult to understand why. Also, the team is without any answers.”
The Italian admitted feeling “humiliated” in front of his home crowd, noting that his current pace restricts him to fighting for minor points.
Crucial Austrian Grand Prix Fixture
The factory engineering team faces intense pressure to diagnose the deficit ahead of the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Ring layout heavily favours the Ducati package, offering Bagnaia a critical venue to halt his slump and challenge Márquez.
