Ex-MotoGP team manager reckons Francesco Bagnaia could lose his factory rider status in Ducati ‘reshuffle’

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After entering the Austrian Grand Prix weekend hopeful of a change in form, Francesco Bagnaia languished in eighth place whilst his Ducati teammate Marc Marquez took his ninth win of the season.

Bagnaia has struggled with a vast number of issues throughout the current term and has found it difficult to adjust to the GP25 following three consecutive seasons where he has been competing for a title.

Bagnaia stated that he wants to be a Ducati rider for the entirety of his career at the beginning of the season, but with how the current campaign has gone, he may not even see the end of his contract with the team.

The situation between Bagnaia and Ducati is reaching a tipping point, with a report stating that if there isn’t a ‘breakthrough’ soon regarding beneficial upgrades for the 28-year-old, the relationship between him and his team could reach a point of no return.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Francesco Bagnaia from net worth to race number

Ricard Jove thinks Ducati could swap Francesco Bagnaia with Fermin Aldeguer

Speaking with key members of the MotoGP paddock, including Jorge Lorenzo, on an episode of the Duralavita MotoGP show on YouTube, former Grand Prix team manager Ricardo Jove theorised on what Ducati could do with Bagnaia in the future if his struggles on the GP25 continue.

“He was slower than last year with the GP24, and now with the GP25,” Jove told his co-hosts. If this continues, I’m starting to see that there could be changes, that Ducati could reshuffle.

“Right now, I dare to say, within Ducati. Pecco could end up moving to another Ducati team, and the factory might bring in a rider like [Fermin] Aldeguer, dressed in red.”

Aldeguer impressed his Gresini crew chief at the Red Bull Ring with his second-place finish. The P2 marked the Spaniard’s highest finishing position so far as he continues to impress in his rookie season in the premier class.

Lorenzo later chimed in with his opinion on Bagnaia’s future, stating that the Italian two-time MotoGP champion would be more comfortable at one of Ducati’s rivals, such as Aprilia or Honda.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fermin Aldeguer with his rise to MotoGP and height

Luigi Dall’Igna called Fermin Aldeguer the ‘future of Ducati’ after Austrian Grand Prix podium

To add further fuel to the fire for Bagnaia, Ducati general manager Luigi Dall’Igna called Aldeguer the ‘future of Ducati’ following his podium feat in Spielberg.

The 20-year-old signed for Gresini Racing ahead of the 2025 season after an impressive four-year stint in the intermediate class. His podium at the Austrian GP marked the second time he beat Bagnaia on track in the older spec Ducati GP24.

The Spaniard finished just over a second behind his championship-leading compatriot, with Aldeguer noting how Marquez put him in a difficult position in the closing stages of the race.

A move up to the factory Ducati team seems like the next step for the rookie, as VR46 have already told Ducati that they don’t want him at their garage as they continue their pursuit of Pedro Acosta.