Ducati MotoGP boss Davide Tardozzi says the marque is “actually crossing our fingers” for Pecco Bagnaia on the Dutch Grand Prix however believes he “discovered one thing” on Friday.
Double world champion Pecco Bagnaia’s struggles throughout the 2025 MotoGP season have been nicely documented, as he has to date but been unable to search out the entrance finish feeling he wants to use his driving type.
Having gained 11 grands prix final yr on his technique to narrowly lacking out on the title, Bagnaia to date solely has one victory to his credit score in 2025 – at COTA – and is 110 factors off the championship lead.
After a disappointing weekend at Mugello through which he was anticipated to be extra aggressive having gained the Italian Grand Prix for the final three years, a rebound was hoped for at Assen.
Additionally profitable the Dutch Grand Prix over the past three years, Bagnaia has seemed aggressive since first follow, exhibiting robust future tempo on Friday afternoon.
And on Saturday morning, he certified second on the grid – 0.028s from pole – and forward of team-mate and championship chief Marc Marquez in fourth.
Talking previous to FP2 on Saturday, Tardozzi stated: “Yeah, I believe what he stated is true [about making a step on Friday].
“I believe Pecco yesterday discovered one thing and he’s been very aggressive with the used tyre.
“We’re actually crossing our fingers to have him again right here in Assen preventing for the win. This morning can be crucial to see if we made the final change in a optimistic approach.
“We made a final setting change final evening. If it really works, I’m very assured he can be very aggressive.”
Bagnaia is but to attain a dash win in 2025, with Marc Marquez taking eight victories on Saturday and Alex Marquez taking the opposite one.
Solely twice this yr has Bagnaia outqualified his team-mate, with the final time coming on the British Grand Prix the place Marc Marquez was additionally fourth on the grid.
He did not capitalise on this at Silverstone, with Bagnaia fading to sixth within the dash and crashing out of the grand prix.
Whereas Bagnaia has seemed aggressive at Assen to date, it stays to be seen if Ducati has been in a position to unlock something for the Italian in dash races.
Up to now this yr, Bagnaia has complained of struggling to experience the GP25 how he needs when it’s fitted with the dash gas tank.
