MotoGP: Francesco Bagnaia Unsure Of Future With Marc Marquez - 'Super Good Or Disaster'

Saajan Jogia | Aug 13, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Marc Marquez (93) of Spain and Gresini Racing MotoGP before the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Ducati’s 2025 factory MotoGP line-up will see Francesco Bagnaia (Pecco) race alongside Marc Marquez- a pairing that is being termed a bold move from Ducati. However, being rather skeptical, Bagnaia has predicted that his future relationship with the six-time MotoGP champion could either be "super good" or a "disaster."

The statements arrive at a time when Ducati is on the verge of witnessing an extremely powerful lineup on the grid next year. But Pecco's comments about future teammate Marquez could also be seen as an alarm for the Italian outfit to keep tempers under control amidst the heat of a high adrenaline rush.

Ducati also became the target of Bagnaia's statements, after he highlighted that it had strayed away from its strategy of hiring young riders and instead, selected an experienced rider like Marquez for the factory seat. Speaking to MotoGP.com, as reported by Crash.net, he said:

“I think [Ducati] decided to change their strategy, which was to believe in young riders and give them the possibility to arrive to the factory team and took Marc that is the one with [the most] titles.

“For sure [Marc] will be super competitive because already he’s super fast and next year he will have the top materials. Like more or less right now. But being in red for sure gives you more motivation to be at the top.

“I think [it] could be super good or a disaster! So we will have to see next year when we start. Could be a disaster if in case we start to scream or we start to have some ‘discussions’. 

"But I think we are both very smart and he will adapt perfectly.”

Bagnaia described the departures of Ducati riders as a significant "loss," specifically mentioning current teammate Enea Bastianini, who will join Tech3 KTM, Marco Bezzecchi from VR46 moving to Aprilia, and Jorge Martin's exit from Pramac to Aprilia. He elaborated further, saying:

“To lose three riders like them is a huge loss because you are giving to other manufacturers three super-fast riders. We will have three contenders more, but without the possibility to see their data."

Although there have been no recent altercations beyond the occasional towing, Bagnaia and Marquez have a history of clashes this season, notably colliding in Portimao during round two, leaving both riders on the ground. Bagnaia later emerged victorious in a tight battle with Marquez at Jerez, despite contact during their fight for the win. At Le Mans, Marquez managed to execute a successful late pass on Bagnaia for second place.

Heading into this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP, Bagnaia is trailing Martin by only three points, while Bastianini has surged into third place in the World Championship, replacing Marc Marquez after his impressive double win at Silverstone.