‘It only works in a straight line’: Bagnaia takes a swipe at his Ducati

Francesco Bagnaia is at his wits’ end with his factory Ducati at Sepang – he smashes his windscreen – the former champion has no-holds-barred words

Francesco Bagnaia has already celebrated a number of successes at the Sepang International Circuit. He won there in 2022 and 2024. Even during the difficult year just gone, he secured pole position in Malaysia for the third year running and won the sprint.

This year, however – which has also proved very difficult – Sepang was no highlight. “My feel on the bike is completely different,” says Bagnaia, drawing a comparison with the winter test last February.

“That’s the main point we need to understand, although it’s basically been like this all season. My bike only works on the straights. That’s why I got the most out of it in the first and last sectors.”

“ “I think I’m in the top three in those two sectors. In the other two sectors, though, I’m losing eight-tenths of a second – that’s just ridiculous.” In Q1, Bagnaia at least managed to qualify second for Q2.

Starting from tenth on the grid, he finished sixth in the Sprint race, securing a points finish. The gap to his team-mate Marc Márquez and to Gresini rider Alex Márquez was, however, striking.

His frustration was clearly evident in qualifying when he smashed his windscreen with his fist at Turn 1. “To be honest, I know full well that I can do much better,” says Bagnaia. “I’ve already proven that on this circuit.”

“When I then see in the data what I’m currently incapable of, and don’t recognise myself in the way I’m riding the bike, it frustrates me immensely.”

“In moments like that, the adrenaline really kicks in: you set your lap time, you want to push for another lap at full risk, and right in the first corner the bike just won’t slow down at all. That makes it difficult.”

P6 wasn’t what he was looking for 👀

@peccobagnaia smashes the screen 😡

# MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 https://t.co/mejrQCxJtt

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) 31 October 2026

If you compare the former Sepang winner Bagnaia with the Bagnaia of this weekend, what is the big difference? “It’s the bike,” is his answer to this crucial question.

The extent of his difficulties ultimately became apparent during the race as well. For a long time, the Italian was running in 15th and 16th place. At times, there were only two riders behind him.

He eventually crossed the line in 13th place, 33 seconds behind his victorious team-mate. “I’m exactly where I expected to be – no better, no worse,” is Bagnaia’s summary of Sepang.

“In the sprint, I was simply lucky that the rain set in. But in the race, I got off to a start and immediately realised that grip was my limiting factor. I tried to manage it carefully.”

“But even riding conservatively, the rear tyre was completely worn out after five laps. From then on, it was just a matter of getting the race to the finish line at all. My final lap was a 2:05.1 – that’s incredible.”

“Especially when I consider what I’m actually capable of achieving here. It is what it is. We have to face the facts: there are still three races to go, and we’ll try to get the most out of them.”