Francesco Bagnaia has been a standout figure for Ducati ever since he arrived on the scene. The team quickly realised just how much potential he had.
He’s always had a strong support system, too. Valentino Rossi played a key role early on, backing him through the VR46 academy. Bagnaia once admitted he was embarrassed when they first met, but Rossi helped set him up for success in MotoGP.
In 2018, Bagnaia claimed the Moto2 championship with eight wins and 12 podiums from 18 races. That caught Ducati’s eye, and he was soon picked up by Pramac Racing for his rookie season in 2019.
Even before his debut race, Bagnaia’s braking skills had already impressed many at Ducati, including team manager Davide Tardozzi.
Davide Tardozzi saw Francesco Bagnaia’s potential early on
During an appearance on MotoGP’s official podcast, Last on the Brakes, in 2022, Tardozzi recounted how Bagnaia made a big impression during his first test session as a factory Ducati rider.
He said it was rare for a rookie to show that kind of ability so early: “I think that we realised in January 2018, before he won the championship. We signed the contract in January 2019, in 2018 he won the Moto2 title.
“But I realised Pecco is a top rider the first test in Malaysia. He had one-and-a-half years of trouble, but at the first test, he showed something that is not possible for a rookie if he’s not a top and fast rider.”
“So, we realised there that he has potential. That’s why, even after one-and-a-half years of ups and downs and trouble and bad results, we kept him.
“He has the potential; we only have to find a way to give him the bike and show that potential. And that’s what happened.”
Davide Tardozzi kept his promise to Francesco Bagnaia by giving him the bike to win two MotoGP titles
Bagnaia’s spell with Pramac wasn’t easy. Across two seasons, he collected just a single podium, finishing 15th in 2019 and slipping to 16th the following year.
Despite those struggles, Ducati stuck with him and moved him up to the factory team for 2021. The change paid off immediately – Bagnaia found his form and quickly became a title contender, though he came up short against Quartararo in his first season.
But he didn’t have to wait long for success. In 2022, Bagnaia pulled off a remarkable comeback, overcoming the largest points gap in MotoGP history to win the championship. It was Ducati’s first title since Casey Stoner’s win back in 2007.
The following year, he went back-to-back, becoming Ducati’s first rider to claim consecutive titles. While recent results haven’t matched those heights and with Bagnaia set for an Aprilia move in 2027, his legacy as Ducati’s most successful rider remains secure.
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