Rumours circling the MotoGP paddock have now been confirmed. VR46 team principal Alessio “Uccio” Salucci has admitted that Francesco Bagnaia tested a GP24 Ducati, specifically one belonging to Franco Morbidelli’s VR46 team, during the in-season test at Misano. This revelation sheds some new light on Bagnaia’s turnaround in form after a turbulent mid-season stretch.
Bagnaia’s Struggles and Misano Turnaround
For much of the 2025 season, he has publicly acknowledged difficulties with front-end feel and confidence on the newer GP25 package. His performances fluctuated, and many in the paddock speculated about whether he might fall back on older, more familiar components.
The Misano test, held immediately after the San Marino Grand Prix, became a pivotal moment. Reports suggested Bagnaia suddenly gained up to 0.7 seconds per lap over his pace during the San Marino GP weekend. That jump in performance set the stage for his resurgent showing in Japan, where he claimed a double win from pole in Motegi.
What Salucci Confirmed And What He Didn’t
During FP1 ahead of the Indonesian GP, Dorna pit-lane reporter Jack Appleyard pressed Salucci about VR46’s involvement at Misano. Salucci responded: “Ducati asked us, so we helped Pecco a little bit. He tried our bike, Morbidelli’s bike, at the Misano test. However, after Monday, the bike returned to our box. And after that, I don’t know [what bike he has been riding since].”
However, Salucci was ambiguous about how much of the bike was of the original specification. It remains unclear whether Bagnaia ran Morbidelli’s GP24 in its full configuration or a hybrid form with GP25-derived elements. The regulations prevent him from switching engines mid-season, so any testing would have to respect the rules.
Interestingly, Bagnaia himself neither fully confirmed nor denied the switch. When asked about the rumours, he replied:
“The thing is that in the Misano test we decided to try different things that also in the past [have given] me more confidence and more performance,” said Bagnaia, who was seated next to Morbidelli at the time.
“I don’t confirm what you’re saying but I confirm that the feedback in the Misano test was arriving from some items that we used also in the past.”
Read More: Comeback Complete: Márquez Returns to Glory With Seventh Motogp Title in Japan
Implications And What It Means Going Forward For Bagnaia
- Desperation meets innovation – Allowing Bagnaia to test a prior year bike underscores how serious Ducati and Bagnaia were about unravelling his performance issues. The move also highlights the flexibility teams will utilise within the technical regulations to fine-tune rider confidence.
- Technical blurring – Due to homologation rules, Bagnaia’s version of the GP24 was likely not “stock.” Some GP25 parts or components may have already been integrated. The line between “old vs new” becomes murky in high-level MotoGP testing.
- Psychological reset – For Bagnaia, the mental boost from finding his form might be as valuable as the mechanical improvements themselves. The sudden leap in pace at Misano, whatever the cause, aligns with his resurgence in Japan.
- Questions for Ducati – This confirmation raises questions for Ducati: will they consider offering Bagnaia further access to that chassis? Will Morbidelli’s equipment be affected? Will Ducati reconsider its approach to development across its lineup?
The confirmation from VR46’s Salucci that he tested the GP24 at Misano is one of those rare moments when paddock whispers transition to concrete fact. While Bagnaia’s own statements remain diplomatic, the evidence now supports the narrative that Ducati and its affiliated teams were making every effort to help their premier rider rediscover form.
