Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia believes his “very fast” run at the 2026 Sepang test has made up for his worst weaknesses from last year.
The 29-year-old came into Malaysia with a point to prove after overcoming the nightmare he struggled to adapt to last season. Ducati GP25. Bagnaya He has fallen out of contention for the title in four straight seasons, winning twice, and ranks fifth with 288 points.
Bagnaya finished 2025 with just one grand prix in the last seven races, twice at Motegi. The Japanese Grand Prix was only the Italian’s second in 2025, despite his 11 wins since joining Marc Marquez at Ducati.
during the winter, Bagnaia admitted that he could have done more to adapt to the Ducati GP25So the Sepang test in 2026 will have its sole purpose of understanding GP26. And after a positive first day on Tuesday, Bagnaya recorded the eighth fastest lap at the Sebang test on day two.
Francesco Bagnaia ‘confirms’ improved braking on Ducati 2026 MotoGP bike
Bagnaia immediately felt a difference in the braking of the Ducati GP26.Compared to the GP25, it had many problems on the first day of the Sepang test. He also feels that the last Desmosedici allowed him to attack the corner entry level more than he could last year.
Read more: Joan Mir is on a rain-hit day two of the Sepang test as Yamaha hits engine trouble.
The Turin native believes he has “vindicated” his improved feelings under braking after another positive run this Wednesday. Bagnaya focused his race time on his race pace, and was just 0.428 seconds off the total lap time set by Honda’s Joan Mir.
Bagnaia told him Motorsport.com: “Yesterday from the first start I proved that the bike works much better on braking, today we proved it, my race time was very fast.”
Braking on the Ducati 2025 MotoGP bike was one of Peco Bagnaia’s biggest problems
Rain on the second day of the Sepang test in the afternoon meant that the fastest lap times were all set in the morning. Marquez tested Ducati 2024-spec front aero in the GP26.. The Borgo Pangale team has brought a powerful new front aero package to the 2026 Sepang Challenge.
Bagnaia intends to continue testing Ducati’s new front aero package in GP26 on the third and final day of the Sepang test. The very large wings may be one of the factors that contributed to the improved braking performance of the Bagnaia Ducati 2026 bike.
Bagnaia is vital to continue developing his improved feel at the front of the Ducati GP26 at the 2026 Thai Grand Prix from March 1. In the year
In the year In 2025, Bagnaia’s issues under braking were exaggerated by traffic.He struggled to optimize his cornering approach due to slippage from the riders in front. And the Italian fell further into the pack as he was unable to attack the braking stages as he wanted.
