Francesco Bagnaia avoids “disaster” in Austin but no…

Francesco Bagnaia believes it would have been a “disaster” to miss out on a direct entry into Q2 after showing a strong pace all Friday at the United States Grand Prix.

The factory Ducati rider set the early benchmark in the hour-long practice session at Austin, comfortably leading the field on used Michelin tyres.

However, as rivals switched to new soft compounds to complete their time attacks, Bagnaia rapidly dropped down the order, tumbling to 15th place with just two minutes left on the clock.

A late flyer eventually allowed him to sneak into Q2 with an eighth-place finish, but it was a narrow escape for the two-time MotoGP champion who often struggled on one-lap pace during a bruising 2025 campaign.

Bagnaia insisted his underlying pace was strong, pointing to a small technical issue that contributed to his late scare in practice.

“If I was out of the top there, I was making a mess and making a disaster in the garage because we were competitive all day in both sessions on used tyres,” he said.

“This afternoon, [we were] even more [competitive]. The conditions were quite tricky due the wind and the hot temperature, but we managed to be constant and fast.

“So, I was thinking that it was possible to be there in the top three today, but then for the time attack, we had a little issue that cost me. In the first time attack, I wasn't able to push as I wanted.

“Then in the second one, I just tried to make a lap, to not risk, to finish the lap. This little problem was limiting the riding a bit. But some things can happen, and for Saturday, everything will be fine.

“I'm happy about the feeling, happy about the bike, but we need to take another step tomorrow.”

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team (Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images)

Despite showing promising signs in pre-season testing, Bagnaia has struggled to consistently fight at the front in the opening flyaway races.

The 29-year-old could only muster a ninth-place finish at the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix before crashing out of the returning Brazilian race while running in 11th.

Although encouraged by how he felt on the bike at Austin, Bagnaia refused to draw any conclusions, having received so many misleading signs over the course of 2025.

Asked whether this was the best he felt on the Ducati in 2026, he replied: “I don't want to say it. In Goiania, everything seemed fine, but then in the race, I started to struggle a lot.

“Right now, yes, I feel good, but feet on the ground and see if I can do a good qualifying to start more at the front, and fight for it.”