The Ducati boss surprised everyone when he publicly criticized Bagnaia’s pair: “He always opens his mouth to ask for justice for Peco, but look at how he races, it’s so disappointing.”
In an unexpected turn of events that has generated a wave of reactions in the world of motorcycling, Ducati’s boss has broken his silence to launch a blunt and public criticism towards the duo of Francesco Bagnaia, the team’s current star rider. The statements have caused a stir both within the paddock and among fans, due to the direct tone and unusual in this type of institutional statement.
“The problem is not only on the track. He always opens his mouth to ask for justice for Peco, but if we look closely at his performances in the last races, it is really disappointing,” said the Ducati leader in an interview with the Italian media, leaving many perplexed.
The words, which seem to be directed at Bagnaia’s romantic couple, have been interpreted by many as a clear sign that there are unresolved tensions within the team. The figure of the pilot’s couple has gained visibility in recent times for their comments on social networks and in interviews, in which Bagnaia openly defends criticism of the press or decisions of the team management.
However, these public interventions seem to have crossed a line for some in the Ducati dome. For senior management, these acts could interfere with the internal environment of the team and destabilize the concentration of the rider at crucial moments of the championship.
There has been no official response since Bagnaia’s entourage, but close sources indicate that both he and his partner felt hurt by the statements. The relationship between the rider and his team, which until recently seemed solid after winning the world title, could be gradually broken, fueled by a series of bad results and questionable strategic decisions.
Sports analysts point out that this type of internal conflict is not new to Ducati, a team that has been known for both its technical excellence and its clothing tensions. In the past, figures such as Jorge Lorenzo or Andrea Dovizioso experienced similar situations, in which personal relationships mixed with sporting results, generating difficult friction.
Meanwhile, fans are divided. Some believe that Ducati’s main comment was inappropriate and unprofessional, arguing that attacking the rider’s personal environment does nothing to the team’s performance. Others, on the other hand, believe that it was necessary to “set limits” on external interventions that could influence the internal work dynamics.
The truth is that this episode comes at a delicate moment for Bagnaia, who is not going through his best sporting moment. The Italian rider is now facing a double challenge: recovering his best level on the track and, at the same time, managing the growing tensions within the team that once considered his home.
