There was a time when Pecco Bagnaia was the man Ducati built its campaigns around. Today he is ninth in the standings on 166 points, 187 behind Marc Marquez, and the factory needs answers fast.
Ducati title hopes rest on one rider
Marquez is two points behind Jorge Martin, but Aprilia has the momentum after taking the first four places in Indonesia. That is why Ducati title hopes now look like a one-rider project, with the Spaniard doing the heavy lifting.
Team manager Davide Tardozzi recently rejected the idea that the GP26 was designed around Marquez. He said Bagnaia runs different aerodynamic parts, including an alternative fairing and swingarm, and reports say Bagnaia has been struggling for rear grip.
Aprilia’s one-two-three-four finish in Indonesia exposed how little depth Ducati has at the front. Bagnaia is not in the same conversation as Marquez at the moment, yet a rider of his calibre rarely stays down for long.
Bagnaia still has the pedigree to change things, as his Motegi magic showed in the past. A podium run would give Marquez a second Ducati to share the pressure and take points off the Aprilia riders.
Bagnaia needs a spark in Australia
The next best Ducati is not a factory bike. Fabio Di Giannantonio of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is sixth on 245 points, ahead of Bagnaia by 79, and he has quietly kept the marque in the top six.
Alex Marquez has said he expects Ducati to consider team orders at some point, though he thinks it is still early to decide. Whatever the plan, a lone star will struggle to carry a factory over five rounds against two Aprilia riders in the top three.
The Australian Grand Prix on 23 to 25 October is the first chance to shift that balance. If Bagnaia can find rear grip and run near the front, Ducati title hopes will look far healthier by Sunday evening.
