Francesco Bagnaia has declared the Malaysian Grand Prix his final ‘concrete opportunity’ to end his Ducati tenure on a triumphant note before his high-profile switch to Aprilia next season. The two-time MotoGP world champion, who has struggled for form in recent races, is determined to recapture his winning momentum at Sepang, a circuit where he boasts two previous victories.

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Bagnaia’s Ducati departure looms ever closer as the season winds down, with the Italian preparing to swap the iconic red of Borgo Panigale for Aprilia’s colours in 2024. Despite this looming transition, Bagnaia remains fiercely motivated, seeking to leave Ducati with a strong performance at the Malaysian GP. His past success at Sepang fuels this ambition, where he has historically thrived.

A poor run since the Czech Republic GP

The 26-year-old has not stood on the podium since his podium finish at the Czech Republic GP in June, a weekend that showcased his potential with a Sprint race win and a third-place finish in the main event. That marked his fourth consecutive podium appearance.

Since then, Bagnaia’s fortunes have deteriorated sharply. He has finished only three of the last eight Grands Prix and has not bettered sixth place in that stretch.

Bagnaia: “the most realistic chance we have”

Addressing the media at Sepang, Bagnaia acknowledged the challenge but expressed optimism. “I think that from now until the end of the year, this is the most realistic chance we have,” he stated. “It’s a circuit where, even last year – despite facing extreme difficulties – we managed to secure pole position; we won the Sprint and were then going very strongly in the race. Unfortunately, I had a problem with the rear tyre from halfway through the race onwards and had to retire.”

He added that while the current technical situation with the Ducati is challenging—“I’m not quite on the mark; I don’t have a feel for this bike”—recent tests have been promising. “I’ll try to give it my all; I’ll take a bit more of a risk because I really want to enjoy myself here. The conditions, apart from tomorrow afternoon, look good; all the ingredients are there for a good weekend, and I’ll certainly try to do well.”

Though no longer in championship contention, Bagnaia is motivated by the prospect of a final podium celebration with Ducati. “I care about it because it’s the most concrete opportunity I’ve got before finishing the season with Ducati, so I’d like to get on the podium, fight for the positions I deserve and not be in such trouble that I can’t ride,” he concluded.

As Bagnaia gears up for this pivotal race, the pressure mounts to deliver a memorable farewell performance for Ducati before he embarks on a fresh chapter with Aprilia, fueled by a desire for redemption and success.