Things are rarely simple when a rider is fighting through a rough patch, but as Motorsport.com Italia reports, the weekend at Misano turned into a proper headache off the track for Francesco Bagnaia. The Ducati Team rider saw his home Grand Prix unravel into a third consecutive double-zero weekend after a crash at turn 2 forced him into retirement on Sunday. It was supposed to be the turning point for his season, but instead, it left him drowning in fresh difficulties and searching for answers with his Desmosedici GP.
That was when the television cameras caught something they shouldn't have. DAZN broadcast an off-air chat between Bagnaia and Pertamina Enduro VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, where the latter suggested trying a more basic setting to work through the slump. Bagnaia's captured reply—"they won't let me do it"—ignited a massive controversy across the paddock upon his arrival at the Red Bull Ring.
I have always been transparent, maybe even too much, but after what happened I think this will change and you will no longer have the transparency that I have always given,
The three-time world champion made it clear he was far from pleased with the Spanish broadcaster airing a private moment completely out of context. Calling the behavior unfair, Bagnaia admitted that his initial reaction was fueled by frustration and nervousness following the race. "Probably I was naive in evaluating the situation, because I think that people are always in good faith, when instead they are not," Bagnaia told journalists at the Red Bull Ring. He noted that DAZN has already apologized for the incident.
Despite accepting those apologies because he is tired of the constant noise, the rider admitted the ordeal will permanently alter how he deals with the press. Known for his open and transparent attitude, Bagnaia warned that his approach is set to change. "I have always been transparent, maybe even too much, but after what happened I think this will change and you will no longer have the transparency that I have always given," he stated.
He was quick to defend the manufacturer behind him, insisting that the leaked audio caused no friction with his squad. Reassuring everyone that mature adults talk things through and move on, Bagnaia confirmed that the relationship remains entirely intact because the factory team understood the remarks were misinterpreted.
