A conversation recorded by DAZN has highlighted Pecco Bagnaia’s frustration with the setup of his Ducati. Fabio Di Giannantonio, the VR46 rider who uses the same Ducati specification, suggested that Bagnaia try a fairly normal, basic configuration similar to his own. Bagnaia’s response was: “They won’t let me do it.” The exchange points to a disagreement—or at least a lack of freedom—around the direction being taken with his bike, although it does not establish exactly who made which decision.

The moment comes during a difficult spell for the double world champion. Since the summer break, Bagnaia has repeatedly described a lack of rear grip; according to the report, the same problem has not appeared in the data of Ducati’s other riders. He has also crashed in all three of the most recent grands prix referenced. At the San Marino Grand Prix, he said after the sprint that the situation made him feel “humiliated”, then crashed in the race.

What the exchange revealed

The discussion began with Di Giannantonio asking about a small component at the rear. Bagnaia replied that it was the least of his problems, that he was fitting what he had been told to use and that he had already tried everything. He said he could feel no difference between the soft and medium front tyres. A used soft tyre in the morning and a new soft tyre for qualifying also felt identical to him, he explained, likening the sensation to pulling the clutch as soon as braking starts. Di Giannantonio repeated that a basic setup like his own might help, prompting Bagnaia’s final comment.

The report does not make clear what specific setup changes Ducati and Bagnaia have been pursuing in recent rounds. At Aragon, Bagnaia said he had gone back to a setup used earlier in the season, when he had been able to fight for podium finishes. A few days before the DAZN exchange, he had also said Ducati would occupy championship positions 1-2-3-4 if it were running four GP24 motorcycles. Ducati boss David Tardozzi said during the Misano weekend that Bagnaia and Ducati still trust each other, while the manufacturer continues working to improve the rider’s situation.