Photo credit: www.autosport.com
Francesco Bagnaia Expresses Doubts About Ducati’s 2025 MotoGP Engine
Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning two-time MotoGP champion, has shared that he is only partially confident—about 50%—in Ducati’s newly developed engine for the upcoming 2025 MotoGP season. His concerns primarily revolve around the effects the new engine has on the braking performance of the bike.
During the recent testing session at Sepang, Bagnaia has had a mixed initial experience with the new engine, which has been designed to enhance Ducati’s competitive edge. While he praised the improved power and smoother delivery, which have positively impacted the acceleration and top speed of the Desmosedici, the braking aspect remains a significant concern.
“We are focusing more on the engine,” Bagnaia stated, noting that he observed some progress in terms of performance during testing. “The power delivery is very smooth, which is encouraging. It’s the first time we’ve experienced such a smooth acceleration with a new engine, and that is really great.” Despite this, he pointed out that the current model, the GP25, still falls short compared to its predecessor, the GP24, especially regarding braking capabilities.
Braking has traditionally been one of the strongest attributes of the GP24, allowing riders to enter corners with greater confidence and precision. Bagnaia expressed his uncertainty on whether the GP25 would be able to match this performance level. “Even if we have closed a bit of the gap, in terms of braking it is still a bit far from the GP24,” he noted. He emphasized the importance of resolving these braking issues ahead of the season, especially given the upcoming two-year development freeze that would prevent any further modifications after the engine’s homologation.
When asked about his confidence in the 2025 engine, Bagnaia stated, “At the moment, 50-50.” He acknowledged the advantages of the GP24, which still possesses untapped potential, while appreciating the GP25’s acceleration capabilities. “The GP25 is already very fast, and the smoothness of acceleration helps us reach top speeds after exits from corners,” he explained. However, he lamented the challenges in replicating the exceptional braking performance of the GP24, stating, “We were doing something incredible on braking, and it’s difficult to reach that level with the GP25 at the moment, even if we manage to close the gap in the coming days.”
While Bagnaia noted the advantages he gains on Sepang’s long straights due to the new engine’s performance, he also acknowledged that the disadvantages stemming from inadequate braking overshadow those benefits. “All the Ducati bikes are accelerating well out of the corners, and that’s helping me gain some advantage,” he said. Yet, he pointed out, “The gap in acceleration is not comparable to what can be lost in terms of riding, braking, and corner entry. We need to find a balance.” He concluded, “Currently, the time we are gaining on acceleration is less than what we are losing on braking.”
Conclusion
As Ducati strives to optimize the 2025 engine amidst significant changes in regulation and performance expectations, Bagnaia’s feedback will be crucial in shaping the development trajectory. The balance between power and control will be a key focus as the team works toward delivering a competitive motorcycle for the upcoming season.
Source
www.autosport.com