Pecco Bagnaia: ‘If I had to choose a bike now, I’d pick the GP24 over the GP25, obviously’
Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, has stirred up the paddock with his candid comments about Ducati’s upcoming GP25. While the Ducati team prepares for the new season and the launch of their 2025 machine, Bagnaia has made it clear that if he had to make a choice today, he would opt for the GP24 over the GP25, despite the latter’s potential.
The 2024 MotoGP season has already seen Bagnaia in top form with the Ducati GP24. The Italian rider, who won his second world championship title in 2023, has been consistently competitive on the GP24, delivering strong race performances and solid results. However, with the GP25 looming on the horizon, the speculation surrounding its capabilities has been rife. The bike is still in the early stages of testing, and it’s clear that there are many factors that need refinement before it can be considered as race-ready as its predecessor.
“I trust the GP24,” Bagnaia said. “It’s been the bike that has allowed me to perform at my best. We’ve developed it together, and it’s been a solid foundation for our success. The GP25 is still a work in progress, and although it’s showing potential, there’s no rush to switch bikes if the new one isn’t giving me the same level of confidence.”
Ducati’s GP25 has been a hot topic during the off-season, with the team working tirelessly to refine the bike in hopes of improving its overall performance. The latest iteration of the machine comes with a variety of new updates, including changes to its aerodynamics, engine power delivery, and chassis design. The goal is to make the GP25 more agile, more adaptable to different track conditions, and to further close the gap with rivals like Yamaha and Honda. However, despite these optimistic developments, Bagnaia’s preference for the GP24 reflects the practical challenges of transitioning to a new machine in MotoGP.
The Italian rider, who has enjoyed immense success with Ducati, winning the MotoGP championship in 2022 and securing multiple race victories, has been a pivotal figure in the team’s success. The GP24, which debuted in the 2024 season, has already demonstrated significant speed and consistency, helping Bagnaia maintain his competitive edge. However, as the team continues to fine-tune the GP25 in preparation for next season, questions about its performance and handling have arisen.
“I’ve spent a lot of time working with the engineers to get the GP24 to where it is today,” Bagnaia continued. “Switching to a new bike involves adjusting to a different feel, and it can take a while to achieve the same level of comfort and confidence. The GP25 may be better in some areas, but until we’ve fully unlocked its potential, I’ll stick with what works.”
This comment has sparked a wave of reactions from both fans and analysts, highlighting the importance of rider-bike chemistry in MotoGP. For top-tier riders like Bagnaia, confidence in their machine is paramount to extracting peak performance on race weekends. As the team continues to evolve the GP25, Bagnaia’s approach is rooted in the idea that consistency and trust in the bike are what ultimately lead to victory on the track.
Ducati’s engineers are already hard at work refining the GP25, focusing on the areas that Bagnaia has mentioned, such as better stability at high speeds and improved handling in tricky conditions. However, with other manufacturers like Yamaha and KTM making significant strides in bike development, Bagnaia’s preference for the GP24 is a sign that the GP25 will have to offer something extraordinary to be the new go-to machine for the champion.
Bagnaia’s comments are not just limited to the performance aspects of the bikes but also reflect the ongoing collaboration between rider and engineer. “MotoGP is a team sport,” he said. “It’s about the bond between rider and engineers. We work together to get the best results. The GP24 is the product of years of development, and the trust I have with my team is invaluable. With the GP25, we’re still learning. It will take time.”
The upcoming winter testing sessions will provide the final evaluations of both the GP24 and the GP25, with Bagnaia and his teammates continuing to refine their settings. It remains to be seen whether Ducati can match or exceed the performance of the GP24 with the new bike, but one thing is certain: Bagnaia’s focus remains firmly on getting the best results, regardless of which bike he is riding.
As the MotoGP season moves into the testing phase for the 2025 machines, Bagnaia’s statement serves as a reminder of the fine margins in motorcycle racing. While the GP25 could evolve into the perfect weapon for Ducati, Bagnaia’s decision to stick with the GP24 underscores the rider’s influence in bike development and the importance of patience during transitions between bike generations.
With the 2024 season still fresh in everyone’s minds, all eyes will be on Bagnaia to see if his loyalty to the GP24 will yield more titles or if the GP25 will eventually convince him to make the switch. For now, though, it’s clear that the reigning champion is in no rush to move away from a winning combination.
