BAGNAIA COMPARES 2024 MOTOGP TITLE LOSS WITH MARC MARQUEZ’S 2015 DEFEAT- ‘I’m Still a…’

Bagnaia Reflects on 2024 Title Defeat, Finds Motivation in Marquez’s 2015 Comeback

Francesco Bagnaia has drawn inspiration from Marc Marquez’s ability to rebound after a difficult 2015 season, as the Ducati rider looks to recover from his 2024 MotoGP title loss and return stronger in 2025.

Marc Marquez, widely regarded as one of MotoGP’s all-time greats, dominated the early stages of his career, winning two consecutive titles in 2013 and 2014 during his explosive debut with Honda. However, in 2015, the Spaniard struggled with crashes and inconsistent performances, ultimately losing the championship. That defeat became a pivotal moment in Marquez’s career, forcing him to become mentally tougher and more composed. He responded by winning four consecutive titles between 2016 and 2019, breaking records and reasserting his dominance.

Bagnaia, who now finds himself in a similar situation after losing his MotoGP crown to Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin in 2024, believes there are clear parallels between his own setback and Marquez’s 2015 defeat. Speaking candidly, the two-time champion expressed his determination to learn from his mistakes and come back as a stronger rider in 2025.

“I’m still a very young rider, and I think I have eight to ten years of racing in front of me,” Bagnaia said. “I will give my maximum to remain fast and strong, and I’ll aim to increase the number of championship titles to my name. That’s my ultimate goal, and I’ll work harder than ever to achieve it.”

The Italian rider made it clear that he does not view the 2024 season as a complete failure. Instead, he sees it as a chance to grow and improve. “I don’t consider 2024 as losing outright,” Bagnaia explained. “I’ve learned from my mistakes, and we understand what cost us the championship this year. That’s something I can work on and improve.

“If you look at Marc Marquez, his career started with two back-to-back titles, but then he lost in 2015. After that, he came back and won four consecutive championships. You never know what the future holds, but I’m ready to give my all to return to the top again.”

Bagnaia’s defeat became even harder to process when he watched Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen secure his fourth consecutive world title in Las Vegas. Despite Bagnaia winning 11 grand prix races during the season, his loss to Martin served as a bitter reminder of what could have been.

“The most difficult moment over these past few weeks was seeing Verstappen win his fourth title,” Bagnaia admitted. “It was a tough moment for me because I couldn’t help but think that I could have been celebrating my fourth championship as well.

“That brought me back to the reality of my own defeat. But I’m choosing to treat this as an opportunity—a chance to rebuild and grow. I know we lost the title, but I also know why we lost it. That awareness makes a huge difference because it gives me clarity on where to improve.

“Even if it’s painful, understanding what went wrong allows me to address those weaknesses and come back stronger. That’s how I’m approaching this.”

Despite the disappointment, Bagnaia remains proud of Ducati’s overall performance this season, acknowledging the team’s efforts to deliver a competitive package. “There’s nothing to complain about when it comes to Ducati’s season in MotoGP,” he said. “It was still a fantastic year, one that we should be proud of as a team. But the ultimate goal remains to win, and we fell short this time.”

Bagnaia also reflected on his own growth throughout the season, emphasizing that such challenges are part of the journey toward becoming a better rider. “I’ve learned so much this year—not just about racing but about myself. I know what I need to fix, and I’m ready to put in the work to make those changes. This setback will only make me stronger.”

As Bagnaia looks toward the 2025 season, he draws confidence from his ability to overcome adversity and his continued belief in his skills. With the lessons of 2024 serving as motivation, he remains committed to reclaiming his title and proving his resilience.

“Every great champion faces setbacks,” Bagnaia concluded. “It’s how you respond to those challenges that defines you. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m ready to fight harder than ever to achieve the maximum again.”

With a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision for the future, Bagnaia hopes to follow in Marquez’s footsteps, turning disappointment into triumph as he embarks on the next chapter of his MotoGP journey. The 2025 season promises to be a crucial test for Bagnaia as he looks to avenge his defeat, rebuild his dominance, and solidify his place among MotoGP’s greatest champions.