Ducati rider Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia described his performance at the official MotoGP pre‑season test in Sepang as positive overall, but admitted there are still uncertainties after running race simulations. The three‑day test offered the first chance for riders and teams to assess their 2026 machines ahead of the new season.
Bagnaia completed extensive running on the Ducati GP26, posting competitive lap times throughout the test that reflected improvements over last season. His pace during sprint race simulations was among the stronger efforts in the field, showing promise in longer runs.
Despite this encouraging performance, Bagnaia acknowledged that some aspects of his simulation work raised questions. He felt that timing and track conditions may have influenced his results, and he noted that grip and tyre wear during longer runs will need further attention as Ducati prepares for the start of the championship.
Source: Motorsports
Bagnaia’s lap times at Sepang were competitive, and he remained close to the leading riders in the session averages. However, like many competitors in Malaysia, he cautioned that test results can be misleading because tyre selection, fuel loads and specific session goals vary between teams.
Overall, Bagnaia said he was pleased with the way the bike responded but stressed that more development and fine‑tuning will be required before racing begins. His focus now turns to the next official test in Buriram, Thailand, where further work will clarify Ducati’s true race pace and readiness for the season opener.
