Bagnaia Turns to Rossi for Mental Reset After Difficult Ducati MotoGP Season

Francesco Bagnaia says guidance from Valentino Rossi and a winter reset have helped him regain perspective following the most difficult MotoGP season of his factory Ducati career.

After four straight years as a title contender with Ducati Lenovo, including championships in 2022 and 2023, Bagnaia struggled throughout the 2025 season. Unlike new team mate Marc Marquez, he was rarely comfortable on the GP25 and often found himself unable to match Alex Marquez on a year old Ducati at Gresini.

Although there were brief flashes of form at circuits such as Motegi and Sepang, Bagnaia’s difficulties continued and he eventually finished fifth in the standings, behind Marc and Alex Marquez, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, and KTM’s Pedro Acosta.

Speaking at Ducati’s team launch, Bagnaia said the off season allowed him to reset mentally.

“In 2024 I dominated but lost the championship, so in 2025 I tried a different approach. But during the season I never really felt comfortable on the bike and could not get 100 percent out of my riding.”

Over the winter, Bagnaia leaned on mentor Valentino Rossi and VR46 Academy trainer Carlo Casabianca.

“They have lived through every kind of situation,” he said. “Even Vale had difficult moments, and Carlo was with him. They told me to be happy and enjoy the moment.”

Bagnaia admitted he was often too critical of himself when results did not meet expectations.

“When I finished third or fourth, I was angry,” he said. “Sometimes you need to focus on the positives. If you are struggling, you cannot win. You need to stay calm and get the best result possible.”

He cited Argentina as an example where frustration affected his approach, noting that a fourth place finish later proved valuable in hindsight.

Bagnaia also addressed the criticism he faced during the season.

“Ninety percent of it was unnecessary,” he said. “Constructive criticism is useful. The rest is not.”

Despite the struggles, Bagnaia maintained a strong relationship with Marquez, who even offered advice during the year.

“You have to arrive at a track and reset,” Marquez told him during an in car conversation at Catalunya.

Bagnaia said he was not surprised by their positive working relationship, describing Marquez as intelligent, experienced, and mature.

Bagnaia and Marquez will begin their 2026 MotoGP preparations at the official Sepang test from February 3 to 5.