Francesco Bagnaia questions Ducati after tyre issues in US GP
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images Francesco Bagnaia found it “strange” that he was “struggling to be fast” at the United States Grand Prix, saying the Ducati GP26 didn’t handle the rear Michelin tyre well at COTA. He put in his best showing of the season so far in Saturday’s Sprint Race. Bagnaia led from Turn 1, but Aprilia’s Jorge Martin caught him on the final lap.
The decision to go with the soft rear over the medium may have played a role. The choice proved crucial, as Martin took advantage late in the race while running on the medium rear. Bagnaia couldn’t build on that pace for Sunday’s main event, fading to a disappointing P10 finish.
The turning point came around halfway through, even though Bagnaia had run as high as fifth with three laps remaining. Meanwhile, his teammate Marc Marquez served a long-lap penalty but still managed to finish fifth, 6. 444 seconds ahead of Bagnaia by full time.
Bagnaia admits tyre issues forced him into survival mode at COTA Photo by Hazrin Yeob Men Shah/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Francesco Bagnaia put his struggles at the Circuit of the Americas down to rear tyre degradation, admitting he was simply trying to finish the race after burning through his medium compound in just eight laps. He was quick to place the blame on the GP26, not himself. Bagnaia felt it was unusual for Ducati riders to struggle with tyre wear, noting that in the past, their bike had been gentle on tyres and allowed them to stay consistent.
Even so, he saw some positives compared to earlier rounds. He said: “In the Sprint, the tyre could have collapsed. But in the race, it should not happen that way.