Davide Tardozzi, boss of the Ducati MotoGP team, says Pecco Bagnaia is “devastated” after the Indonesian Grand Prix, and the brand “protects his emotions.”
A week after wiping out the Japanese Grand Prix, the Double World Champion returned to what he called the “Misano” form at the Indonesian Grand Prix.
In qualifying on the 16th, Pecco Bagnaia was the last in the sprint, nearly 30s from the lead and again escaped from the back pace, crashing from the Grand Prix.
Both Ducati and Bagnaia are at a loss to explain this sudden decline in shape, coming in constant reports that he is primarily returning to the GP24 with the 2025 engine installed in Japan.
Bagnaia did not attend his media duties on Sunday, but Ducati claimed it was a “result of the crash,” but did not clarify whether this meant he was injured.
Talking to Sky Italy, Tardozzi says he is now being distressed from the media to “protect his emotions.”
“He’s now even more devastated, at first, as a person and as a rider,” the team manager said.
“We want to protect Pecco and his emotions. If he came here with tears in his eyes, it wouldn’t have been the case.
“He’s a very sensitive guy and a fast rider, but I think it’s best to leave him alone for now and work to bring him into a position to play on Philip Island.”
Bagnaia’s struggle formed the basis for the turnaround in Japan as Ducati refused to confirm the VR46 comment that he gave one of the Double World champions to one of the GP24s he tested at Misano last month.
This led to questions about the relationship between the pair, but Tardozzi is sure Bagnaia still trusts Ducati.
“I definitely think so,” he replied when he asked about this.
“I think seven years from now, he’ll know us technically and personally.
“I don’t think it’s one time that Pecco is 100% doing to help him.”