Pecco Bagnaia’s Suzuka 8 Hours Ambition: ‘Maybe I Will Have to Wait Until I’m Retired

Pecco Bagnaia on his 'dream' of participating in Suzuka 8 Hours: "I might have to wait until I'm retired."

"I hope that's not the case, as I want to take part while I'm still at my peak."

Francesco Bagnaia expressed his desire to participate in the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, though he believes it might be some time before he gets the chance.

Traditionally, factory Ducati riders have found it nearly impossible to compete at Suzuka because the Italian company has seldom entered an official team in the race.

Nevertheless, Ducati offered formal backing to Team Kagayama, which also competes in the JSB1000 category of the All-Japan Road Racing Championship with a Panigale V4 R, during this year's event.

The Kagayama team, led by ex-BSB and World Superbike rider Yukio Kagayama, secured fourth place in this year's 8 Hours race. They narrowly missed out on a podium finish towards the end, losing the spot to the Yoshimura SERT Suzuki team. Interestingly, this is the same team that Kagayama has been associated with in the past. The Yoshimura SERT Suzuki team went on to win the 2024 Endurance World Championship at the Bol d’Or last month.

Ducati's growing involvement at Suzuka, along with earlier statements from ex-Ducati Corse Sporting Director and current leader of the brand's off-road projects, Paolo Ciabatti, about their goal to win the Suzuka 8 Hours, raises the likelihood that Ducati's official MotoGP riders might compete in the event.

With the release of the 2025 MotoGP and EWC schedules, it’s now possible to avoid overlap starting next year, as there will be no MotoGP event clashing with the Suzuka race for the second consecutive year.

On Friday, during the Indonesian Grand Prix last weekend, Francesco Bagnaia expressed his thoughts, saying, "I've considered the possibility that a race might be canceled or rescheduled, preventing me from attending, but I don't believe Ducati wants me to miss it."

"This season is already quite challenging with 22 races, totaling 44 races in MotoGP. However, I still have a strong desire to participate in the Suzuka 8 Hours. Competing there has always been one of my greatest dreams."

Bagnaia’s role in the MotoGP World Championship, along with the ever-expanding MotoGP schedule, suggests that the Italian racer may have to wait some time before he can participate in the Suzuka event.

He mentioned that he might need to wait until retirement. However, he expressed hope that it wouldn’t come to that, as he wishes to accomplish it while he is still at his peak.

“I’m going to request it, but it’s challenging at the moment. Next year will almost certainly be tough as well.”

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