In a dramatic turning point that shook both the community of MotoGP and that of F1, Domizia Castagnini, wife of the two -time world champion of MotoGP Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, has unleashed a storm of controversy with a hard public declaration addressed to Ducati. His comments, which accused the Italian car manufacturer of lacking respect for the husband, aroused harsh reactions from the leaders of Ducati and the teammate of Bagnaia, Marc Marquez. The dispute, broke out in April 2025, fascinated fans and raised questions about team dynamics, loyalty and the high risk of the world of motorcycle racing.
The saga began when Castagnini expressed its frustration for management by Ducati di Bagnaia on social media, the pilot who gave the team the first world championships pilots in 15 years in 2022 and 2023 Although it has not specified the nature of the alleged lack of respect, many hypothesize that it is connected to the decision of Ducati to engage the six -time world champion MotoGP Marc Marquez in the official team for 2025, a move that changed the internal dynamics of the team. Bagnaia, who has long been the face of the rebirth of Ducati, now shares the box with a formidable rival, creating a high pressure environment that some believe has put aside the Italian star.
The timing of Castagnini’s outburst is significant. Bagnaia faced a difficult 2025 start of the season, struggling to keep up with Marquez, who dominated with victories in all four sprints and in three of the first four great prizes. Bagnaia, detached from 26 points from Marquez in the championship ranking, a victory at the Grand Prix of the Americas has secured, but for the rest he was unable to challenge his teammate in a head -to -head. Some rumors suggest that Bagnaia has struggled with the new Ducati GP25, citing chassis problems and engine performance, while Marquez has adapted without problems. This disparity has fueled the speculations according to which the Ducati engineers are giving priority to Marquez, a statement that Castagnini’s declaration seems to echo.
The CEO of Ducati, Claudio Domenicali, was quick to respond, defending the team’s commitment to both drivers. In a press conference, he said: “Ducati has always supported Pecco, and his two world titles are proof of this. Our goal is to win, and both drivers are given the same opportunities for success. These accusations are unjust and do not reflect the reality of our team”. Domenicali also faced the decision to hire Marquez, recognizing its divisive nature but underlining the undeniable talent of the Spaniard. “Marc is a champion, and his presence pushes everyone to improve,” he said, rejecting the insinuations of favoritism.
Marquez, known for his competitiveness and his media ability, also intervened, also providing a sharp response. “I respect Pecco as a pilot and champion, but I’m here to win, just like him,” said Marquez in an interview. “If there is tension, it is because we both aim to be the best. These are the races.” His comments, albeit diplomatic, underlined the strong rivalry between the two pilots, a dynamic that was a focal point of the 2025 season. The perfect integration of Marquez in the Ducati Lenovo Team, combined with his domain of the beginning of the season, has only intensified his attention on the performance of Bagnaia and on the management of the team.
The controversy has triggered a large debate between fans and commentators. Some argue that Castagnini’s comments reflect a genuine frustration within the Team of Bagnaia, citing episodes such as the Grand Prix of the Americas, where Ducati would have hidden strategic information on the choice of tires by Marquez. Others believe that his declaration was an emotional reaction to the pressure that Bagnaia has to face in a team now focused on two Alfa personalities. The former MotoGP Randy Mamola driver warned against the underestimation of Bagnaia, remembering his 11 wins in the great prizes of 2024 and inviting the fans to recognize his resilience.
The consequences of this episode will probably influence the narration of the MotoGP 2025 season. With the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez at the gates, all eyes will be focused on Bagnaia and Marquez, committed to managing their rivalry inside and off the track. For Ducati, managing the ego of two world champions while keeping team harmony will be an arduous challenge. The courageous declaration of Castagnini not only highlighted latent tensions, but also prepared the ground for a dramatic accounts in the races to come. While the world of MotoGP observes, one thing is clear: the battle for supremacy in Ducati is far from over.
