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# A 'f**k-up' and the same weakness - Bagnaia blow explained
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/motogp/bagnaia-qatar-gp-saturday-crash-sprint-weakness/
- Published: 2025-04-12T19:22:18.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-12T22:18:40.000Z
- Description: Saturday at the Qatar Grand Prix was a bad day for Pecco Bagnaia's title challenge in 2025, as he gave up double-digit points versus Marc Marquez - and looks set for another points hit on Sunday.
- Author: Valentin Khorounzhiy
- Tags: MotoGP, #pecco-bagnaia, #ducati, #qatar-grand-prix, #image-top-center

Saturday at the Qatar Grand Prix was a bad day for Pecco Bagnaia's title challenge in 2025, as he gave up double-digit points versus Marc Marquez - and looks set for another points hit on Sunday.

Bagnaia [crashed on his second run in qualifying](https://www.the-race.com/motogp/bagnaia-blows-qatar-gp-shot-at-marquez-with-qualifying-crash/) after a disappointing first run, ending up 11th on the grid, then struggled to make meaningful progress in the sprint, [finishing as last of the six Ducatis in eighth](https://www.the-race.com/motogp/marquez-wins-qatar-gp-sprint-as-bagnaia-struggles-again/).

It was an alarming performance given Bagnaia had started the season lacking his usual confidence with the Ducati Desmosedici - but he insisted Saturday was no indication of him taking a step back in terms of pace, but rather a badly-timed mistake and the continuance of a particular performance trend.

## The 'f\*\*\*-up'

Bagnaia had to approach his second run in Q2 with a lot of urgency, after being uncompetitive on his initial attempt.

He looked on course to rectify this quickly, but went down at Turn 4 after a strong opening sector - and could only watch as he was pushed further down the starting grid by rivals' improvements.

"I messed up- no, 'I \*\*\*\*ed up' is better - this morning in qualifying," he admitted.

![Pecco Bagnaia during the Qatar GP sprint race](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dd/af/ddafbd99-2ccd-468c-b622-4b3cccf80b49/content/images/2025/04/GnG_1220375_HiRes.jpg)

"Honestly, I was super fast this morning \[in pre-qualifying practice\] with used tyres, the feeling was fantastic and I was able to do what I wanted. Then in qualifying unluckily in the first attempt I wasn't happy with what I was feeling - and in the second attempt everything was fine, everything was fine and I was able to push.

"In the first sector I was already down on \[quicker than\] my best from yesterday, so I just tried to push like I want normally, but I overpushed in Turn 4 so I arrived a bit too fast and I lost the front - after losing a bit the rear.

"So, my mistake, completely my mistake. Because in this situation where you are not able to do a good attempt already in the first attempt, you need just to be more calm, just to be more in front.

"But I was trying. And it was the moment to try - and nothing, I just crashed."

> Disaster for [@PeccoBagnaia](https://twitter.com/PeccoBagnaia?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) 😱 He crashes out at T4 at a crucial time 💥[#QatarGP](https://twitter.com/hashtag/QatarGP?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com) 🇶🇦 [pic.twitter.com/81J1GPB37Z](https://t.co/81J1GPB37Z?ref=the-race.com)
> 
> — MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) [April 12, 2025](https://twitter.com/MotoGP/status/1911046174884118767?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=the-race.com)

## The 'deja vu' issue

Bagnaia still harbours high hopes for Sunday's race, "confident" of a podium challenge despite his grid slot.

But he says he knew this wouldn't be possible in the sprint - because he's still lacking performance with the bike in its sprint configuration, meaning with the mandated lesser-capacity fuel tank.

"It's already three seasons that we're doing sprints and always I'm struggling to overtake riders. When I'm behind \[others\], I cannot brake like I want.

"The reason is still difficult to understand from my point of view because the difference is only the fuel tank - but I'm the only one to feel this kind of thing. So... I need to improve. I need to learn what to do in the sprint situation, because it's not possible that if I'm starting behind I cannot overtake riders.

"The problem is, from my point of view - my performance comes on braking. When I brake hard and I can enter fast in the corner, I am fast. And with the fuel tank of the sprint race, the balance of the bike is a bit different and I cannot brake like I want, because I start to have much more front locking, and this is my biggest problem."

Bagnaia felt that, despite this, with a normal grid position "maybe today I was able" to secure a win.

"I learned last year that it's more important to finish than crash," he said.

"I know that two points \[for eighth\] are very low considering that \[I could've won\] - but it's better than zero. We have to be realistic and try always to finish."