Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia are enduring very contrasting fortunes in the 2025 MotoGP season, but both riders have uncertain long-term fortunes for Ducati.
The Bologna Bullets welcomed Marquez to Borgo Panigale this year to partner with Bagnaia. Ducati have not regretted their decision, either, with the Spaniard sealing 10 Grand Prix and 14 Sprint Race wins across the first 15 rounds. Marquez has even taken eight pole positions.
Ducati are also now simply counting down the days until Marquez is named the 2025 riders’ champion, but Bagnaia has barely got off the mark this season in comparison. While the 32-year-old tops the standings on 487 points, the 28-year-old Italian has scored just 237 so far.
Bagnaia is also looking over his shoulder at Aprilia rival Marco Bezzecchi with 197 points and KTM star Pedro Acosta on 183 more than he is targeting Gresini ace Alex Marquez in second with 305 points thus far. Alex Marquez has also won more Grands Prix than Bagnaia in 2025.
Carlo Pernat tells Ducati to sign Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo for the 2027 MotoGP season
Bagnaia’s persistent problems with Ducati’s 2025 bike have raised questions over his future in Borgo Panigale, with the two-time champion out of contract after the 2026 season. Ducati will also face a decision about Marquez’s future, with his deal also set to expire next season.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
Marquez re-joining Honda in 2027 would not surprise Carlo Pernat, as well, with the season after next also yielding new regulations and 850cc bikes. So, if it were up to Pernat to sign a replacement for Marquez or Bagnaia, he would try to get Fabio Quartararo to leave Yamaha.
Pernat told MOW: “My heart tells me to choose Enea Bastianini, logic tells me to choose Pedro Acosta, but instinct tells me to name Fabio Quartararo.
“Fabio is currently the only one who, in terms of pure talent, has nothing to envy Marc. And seeing him on a bike that just doesn’t put him in a position to compete is a sporting shame.
“Let’s hope that with this V4 they tested in Barcelona, and will be rolling out at Misano with Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha have found the right path.
“But I have a hard time believing that such a new project can be competitive right away. I fear, therefore, that Fabio Quartararo will have to suffer some more.”
Fabio Quartararo is Ducati’s top target if Marc Marquez leaves at the end of his contract
Ducati view Quartararo as their top target to replace Marquez in 2027, if the Spaniard elects to quit the Bologna Bullets at the end of his contract. Like both of the Borgo Panigale crew’s current riders, Quartararo’s £10m a year Yamaha contract is set to expire at the end of 2026.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats
Borgo Panigale chiefs would prefer to sign Quartararo over rival riders such as Acosta if they have an opening in their factory 2027 rider line-up. But Ducati would likely need to convince Quartararo that a move from Yamaha would be in his interests if Marquez were to walk out.
It would not be a great vote of confidence in Ducati’s 2027 850cc MotoGP bike were they to lose Marquez, who will be the clear favourite to win the title in 2026 given his dominance in 2025. But Quartararo is ready to leave Yamaha if the Iwata squad do not improve their bike.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
