Andrea Dovizioso thinks Francesco Bagnaia still can’t accept ‘not the fastest’ at Ducati

Does Francesco Bagnaia agree with Pedro Acosta’s verdict on Marc Marquez’s defeat at Ducati?

He was absolutely dominant in the seventh round of the season, with his future teammate, Pedro AcostaProving to be the only rider to accompany Marquez in Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Ducati Teammate Francesco Bagnaia He still managed to score a third consecutive P3 finish in Hungary, but his pace was not as strong as the other two riders. He took the checkered flag 11 seconds after his teammate.

Despite showing a more comfortable figure in 2026 compared to last year’s fighting height, the former MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso There is speculation that the #63 is still struggling to accept playing second-fiddle to his high-flying teammate.

Andrea Dovizioso says Francesco Bagnaia ‘can’t accept’ he is not Ducati’s fastest rider.

Speaking through it Official YouTube channelThe 15-time MotoGP Grand Prix winner expressed his thoughts on the Bagnaia P3 finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix, despite a clear pace disadvantage to Marquez.

He began by praising the Italian rider’s performances, but highlighted how inconsistent he was. “In my opinion, he’s very talented – when he’s on form, he’s very talented when he’s feeling it,” began Dovizioso.

“Most importantly, when he’s clear about what he wants to do, he can pull it off. Everything he’s done is always clear. You can see how well organized he is, how he sets up his sessions.”

“In qualifying, in the race. He’s almost always under control, but some things have changed since last year.”

Amid Marquez’s dominance last year, Dovizioso detailed how Bagnaia’s ‘ego’ was damaged The Spaniard’s ability to jump on a Ducati factory bike and find immediate success. On the same machine, Bagnaya faced many problems.

Confidence in your own abilities is a key part of being a premier class rider, and the Italian believes Bagnaia is still struggling to accept that he is not Ducati’s fastest man.

“Maybe in the years he won he didn’t have many close fights because when he did win, his style and speed made a difference,” he continued. “Perhaps this did not give him the opportunity to achieve much and gain many fans.

“That’s the only thing that comes to mind, because his strength, skill and technique is what it’s all about.

I still see him, if I’m not mistaken, as a multiple world champion, but he can’t accept that he’s not the fastest, something he’s never accepted before.