The 2026 MotoGP championship remains wide open, and Gigi Dall’Igna expects the title to be decided at the very end of the season. In a LinkedIn race review reported by Crash.net, the Ducati Corse boss described the campaign as exceptionally unpredictable, with each Grand Prix frequently overturning the story written by the previous one.

Austria carried extra significance for Ducati. Before this year’s event, the manufacturer had won 10 of the previous 12 MotoGP races at the Red Bull Ring, while Marc Marquez had taken both the Sprint and the grand prix there the year before. This time, however, the Desmosedici machines struggled to find grip with the stiffer-construction rear tyre.

Marquez arrived in Austria leading the championship for the first time this season after overturning a 102-point deficit. He finished second behind Jorge Martin in the Sprint, then took fifth in the grand prix after early brake problems. Dall’Igna said Marquez’s pace remained competitive despite the technical difficulties. Ducati’s overall showing was a different matter: the bikes were subdued at a circuit where the manufacturer has traditionally been the leading force.

The result put Marquez 12 points behind Martin heading into the overseas rounds. Austria also delivered a major breakthrough for Pedro Acosta, who claimed his first MotoGP victory with KTM. Dall’Igna congratulated the rival manufacturer on a long-awaited and thoroughly deserved win, while acknowledging the emotional significance of the achievement.

Motegi brings the next test

The championship now moves to Motegi, where Marquez was crowned champion the previous year and Francesco Bagnaia won both races. Bagnaia finished seventh in Austria and has not reached the podium since Brno in June. Dall’Igna viewed that result as evidence of resilience and an initial step towards recovery. For Ducati, staying focused and securing points could prove as important as outright speed in a season whose momentum keeps changing from one race to the next.