Francesco Bagnaia is hoping Ducati can use the MotoGP summer break to solve the rear grip problem that has affected his bike since the opening round of the 2026 season.
Although the Italian has shown signs of improvement with four consecutive Grand Prix podiums and a sprint race victory before the break, he admitted he is far from satisfied with how his campaign has unfolded.
Bagnaia currently sits eighth in the riders' standings, trailing championship leader Jorge Martin by 65 points, and rated his season only 5.5 out of 10.
"It is necessary, but I'm not going into the summer break feeling happy because I know how much more we could be doing and we're not doing it," Bagnaia said after the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring.
He believes the biggest obstacle has been a persistent lack of rear grip, which has prevented him from getting the most out of the Ducati in both cornering and acceleration.
"I don't have rear grip. I can't use the rear to turn the bike or accelerate," he said. "That is the biggest limitation."
Bagnaia admitted mechanical failures have also cost him valuable points this season, but stressed the grip issue remains the team's main concern.
Source: Motorsport Week
He is optimistic Ducati can find a solution after seeing Gresini Racing overcome similar problems earlier this year with Alex Marquez.
"The only Ducati rider who had the same issues as me was Alex," Bagnaia said. "Before Jerez he had the same problems, then they solved them. I really hope this summer break helps the team understand what we need to do."
The two-time MotoGP world champion is also recovering from surgery on his right forearm and expects to be fit for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which gets underway on Aug 8.
Bagnaia is entering the final months of his Ducati career before joining Aprilia for the 2027 season, where he will partner Marco Bezzecchi. With the championship entering its second half, the Italian hopes Ducati can finally resolve the issue and allow him to end his time with the factory team on a stronger note.
