Ducati’s CEO Expects Francesco Bagnaia to Transform Championship from Qatar
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati’s CEO, predicts a different championship outcome from the Qatar Grand Prix, expressing confidence that Francesco Bagnaia will regain his competitive form. While Marquez leads with multiple wins, Domenicali believes in Bagnaia’s potential to secure victories, especially after overcoming early season challenges.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, anticipates a transformative championship starting from the Qatar Grand Prix. He expresses hope that Francesco Bagnaia, who struggled at the beginning of the 2025 season, will reclaim his competitive edge and contend for victories. Despite Bagnaia’s current position of third place, the emergence of Marc Marquez and his successful start to the season has challenged the expectations set for competitive encounters between the two riders.
Marquez has demonstrated remarkable performance, securing wins in the first two Grands Prix and Sprint Races held in Thailand and Argentina. As MotoGP moves to the Circuit of the Americas, a track favoring Marquez, many believe he is likely to maintain his winning streak. However, Domenicali remains optimistic about Bagnaia’s comeback.
Domenicali commented, “I think Pecco started with two races that weren’t the most favourable for him. He finished the winter tests with some problems that weren’t his fault, so we’re not seeing his true potential yet.” He expresses confidence that Bagnaia will show his capabilities in upcoming races, although he notes that Austin may be a challenge given Marquez’s affinity for the circuit. “But I think we’ll see a different championship from Qatar,” he asserts.
Throughout his MotoGP career, Bagnaia’s performance in Qatar has been inconsistent. He has clinched two victories at the Lusail International Circuit—one in MotoGP and one in Moto2—alongside four additional podium finishes in MotoGP and Moto3. However, he has yet to secure a position on the Sprint podium at this venue.
In summary, Claudio Domenicali foresees a shift in the dynamics of the MotoGP Championship as Francesco Bagnaia aims to recover his form at the Qatar Grand Prix. Despite setbacks in the early races of 2025, there is optimism for Bagnaia’s resurgence in the competitive landscape, particularly against formidable opponents such as Marc Marquez. Bagnaia’s historical performance in Qatar may offer insights into his potential success moving forward.
Original Source: bikesportnews.com
