Ducati now needs a more aggressive approach to the 2026 MotoGP title fight. That was Davide Tardozzi’s message after the Austrian Grand Prix, where the Italian manufacturer fell short of its expectations. No Ducati rider reached the podium: Marc Marquez was second in the sprint but finished fifth in the main race after suffering a brake problem.

Speaking to GPOne, Tardozzi identified consistency, speed and aggression as the qualities required for the championship’s next phase. He also recalled advice from Casey Stoner, Ducati’s 2007 world champion: the first half of a season is handled with the head, while the second calls for the heart. Tardozzi’s conclusion was clear: Ducati has reached the stage at which simply managing the contest is no longer enough.

The cost of the Austrian weekend

Jorge Martin and Aprilia outperformed Ducati throughout the Austrian weekend, leaving Martin 12 points ahead of Marquez before the next round in Japan. KTM rider Pedro Acosta won the Grand Prix, with three Aprilias finishing behind him. Tardozzi credited Aprilia’s work and said the rival manufacturer is now benefiting from the progress it has made.

Ducati’s technical difficulties were linked to the stiffer rear tyre carcass Michelin brings to circuits that impose high thermal demands on its rubber. The same issue had appeared earlier in the season, although Ducati had won with that tyre in Austria and Thailand the previous year.

Tardozzi still described the championship as wide open, while acknowledging that it had become quite complicated after the Red Bull Ring. He said Ducati had not expected to lose so many points and now had to recover in the upcoming races. According to Tardozzi, Gigi Dall’Igna is unhappy with the situation and will look for an answer, either by bringing new hardware or by making adjustments before the next events.