Francesco Bagnaia has called out the MotoGP media for their ongoing ‘hunt for scandal’, as he puts it. No other rider seems to have taken as much heat in recent times as Bagnaia.
The two-time world champion went through a tough 2025 season with Ducati, missing out on points in 18 of the 44 races and recording nine DNFs.
That run of form led to an outside review into what went wrong, along with rumours about his standing within the team and how long he might stay at Borgo Panigale.
Bagnaia slams MotoGP media for ‘madness’ and ‘hunt for scandal’
Appearing on the BSMT podcast, Bagnaia spoke about his preference for being open with the media, but he said he’s learned that this approach comes with risks.
The Italian has accused the press of twisting his words to create controversy. He also explained that any irritation in his responses often comes from having to answer the same question repeatedly.
Riders are required to speak not only to TV networks from around the world but also to print journalists covering the sport.
“In my opinion, unfortunately, we’re bordering on madness on a media level lately,” said Bagnaia. “It’s just a hunt for scandal, controversy, constantly. Whatever you say, it will be twisted anyway they want.
“I would like to be extremely transparent, but I have to limit myself. The times I’ve been transparent, I was food for journalists, and I was wrong. There were times when I was maybe wrong to go too often straight away to do the interviews after.
“There are 10, 12 television channels, you go to the media scrum, and there are 15 journalists, everyone asks you the same question. The first answer, you are more diplomatic, you get to the second answer, where you are a little less diplomatic, you get to the end, where you really let off steam.”
Pecco Bagnaia reflects on a Ducati comment he regrets
Bagnaia admits that he’s played a role in some of the negative headlines about him. He has said there have been times when he wished he’d taken longer before speaking to the press.
One of his more notable quotes came after the Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished eighth and said he was “running out of patience” with Ducati.
“That was one of the times I made a mistake,” Bagnaia reflected. “Then that stuff goes around the world.”
Bagnaia viewed his 2025 issues as largely mechanical, while Ducati seemed to think it was more about a loss of confidence on his part.
The team is expected to confirm soon that Bagnaia will be joining Aprilia next season, with Pedro Acosta stepping in as his replacement.
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