Francesco Bagnaia finished the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang in 13th place, crossing the finish line over half a minute behind race winner and teammate Marc Marquez while stating that he completely ran out of rear tire grip after just five laps. Sky Sport reported that the three-time world champion completed his final lap in 2:05.1, noting that the severe degradation prevented him from even touching his knee to the pavement through the right-hand turns.
Bagnaia Struggles with Depleted Rear Tire at Sepang
The 13th-place finish at Sepang compounded a difficult weekend for the Ducati rider, who admitted the result unfolded exactly as he anticipated. Motorsport.com reported that Bagnaia tried to manage his pace during the opening laps, but his rear tire was completely depleted by the fifth lap. Motosprint noted that Bagnaia admitted he was saved only by the rain during the preceding Sprint race, where he finished sixth, because the precipitation forced competitors to slow down and masked his underlying lack of grip.
Reflecting on his struggles with tire management, Bagnaia expressed frustration to reporters in Malaysia. “Mi è sempre venuto abbastanza bene gestire le gomme, ora sono diventato incapace e devo lavorarci di nuovo, dovrò reimparare,” Bagnaia said, according to Motorsport.com.
The Technical Divide on the Desmosedici GP26
When asked by journalists about the performance gap between his current form and his past victories at Sepang, Bagnaia pointed directly to the machinery. Gazzetta.it reported that the Italian rider stated bluntly that the motorcycle itself creates the disparity. Bagnaia told Sky Sport that a specific setup adjustment used during the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi allowed him to ride competitively, but that configuration has since disappeared from his garage.
Sky Sport noted that when pressed on whether the component was physically unavailable or withheld, Bagnaia declined to provide details. The rider confirmed that his mechanics altered the machine’s setup extensively ahead of the race, but the adjustments failed to resolve the chronic lack of rear grip that has persisted throughout the 2026 championship.
Countdown to the End of the Ducati Partnership
The ongoing struggles mark a strained conclusion to an eight-year relationship with Borgo Panigale that delivered world titles in 2022 and 2023. Gazzetta.it reported that Bagnaia admitted his sole expectation for the remaining three race weekends of the season is simply to survive. Motorsport.com recorded the rider’s blunt assessment of his morale as he counts down the moments until his eventual switch to Aprilia, noting simply that he is counting the minutes until the campaign concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bagnaia at Sepang
What was Francesco Bagnaia’s final position in the Malaysian Grand Prix?
Bagnaia finished the long race at Sepang in 13th position, crossing the line more than 30 seconds behind race winner Marc Marquez.
What specific problem did Bagnaia report with his Ducati Desmosedici GP26?
Bagnaia reported a total lack of rear grip that destroyed his rear tire by the fifth lap of the race, forcing him to complete his final lap in 2:05.1 without being able to touch his knee to the asphalt in right-hand corners.
Where is Bagnaia heading after his departure from Ducati?
Bagnaia is scheduled to leave Ducati at the conclusion of the current championship to join Aprilia for the upcoming racing season.
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