Max Biaggi tells Francesco Bagnaia what he ‘wouldn’t find elsewhere’ if he leaves Ducati

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Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia has attracted interest from rival MotoGP teams during his torrid season, which has also created questions about his future in Borgo Panigale.

The 28-year-old was Ducati’s number one since he moved up from Pramac back in 2021. Yet Marc Marquez took the spotlight from Bagnaia this year en route to the 32-year-old winning his seventh riders’ title thus far. But Max Biaggi is clear that Bagnaia has to remain at Ducati.

Bagnaia can envisage ending his career as a Ducati rider, but the Italian’s troubles aboard his Desmosedici GP25 have created doubts about his long-term future with the Bologna Bullets. The two-time champion is currently set to be out of contract after the 2026 MotoGP season.

Neil Hodgson cannot see Bagnaia signing a new Ducati contract, as well, having struggled to such an extent for much of the 2025 term. After winning only his second race this season at the Japanese Grand Prix last time out, Bagnaia boasts 274 points to Marquez’s 541 this year.

Max Biaggi believes Ducati offer Francesco Bagnaia an ‘advantage’ no rival MotoGP team can match

Despite Bagnaia’s plight aboard the GP25 for most of 2025, rival teams have shown interest in the Turin native’s possible availability for the coming seasons. It was reported in May that Yamaha view Bagnaia as their forbidden dream signing, should he ever elect to leave Ducati.

READ MORE: Every MotoGP team’s confirmed 2026 rider line-ups

Additionally, claims also emerged as Jorge Martin tried to force through a move to Honda in June that Aprilia had a chance to explore signing Bagnaia as the Italian considered his future at Ducati. But Biaggi thinks Bagnaia will not find a better project than what he has at Ducati.

Biaggi knows that he would strive to find more from within himself to try to match Marquez on the best bike on the grid than to mull joining another team if he were in Bagnaia’s shoes. Aprilia have reduced some of their deficit to Ducati, but the GP25 remains the quickest bike.

“Speaking for someone else is difficult,” Biaggi told Motosprint. “I’ll ask you, if you were Bagnaia, would you leave what currently seems to be the best bike on the grid and one of the highest salaries in the paddock? I don’t think so.

“I would try to get the best out of the bike he already has, given that where he is now he can count on an advantage that he wouldn’t find elsewhere.

“I would stay there and try to get the most out of myself, especially since Bagnaia has already proven his worth. He could try to match his teammate, who is currently the best, and find a way out.”

Ducati are considering Pecco Bagnaia’s future in red after his disappointing 2025 season

Bagnaia could join his pick of rival manufacturers like Yamaha and Aprilia in the 2027 season if he were to look to leave Ducati, with most rival riders also due to be out of contract at the end of next year. It also remains to be seen if Ducati want to keep Bagnaia beyond next year.

Ducati regard Fabio Quartararo as their top target to replace Marquez in 2027, with the now seven-time MotoGP champion key to their long-term plans more than Bagnaia. Ducati could elect to keep Bagnaia as well if Marquez extends his contract, but he is not their top priority.

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

Gresini rookie Fermin Aldeguer is also on a factory Ducati contract that ties him to the brand through, at least, 2028. And while Aldeguer does not feel ready to replace Bagnaia at Ducati in 2026, the Spaniard views a second year at Gresini as a stepping stone to move up in 2027.

But Bagnaia’s return to form at the Japanese Grand Prix after Ducati merged his GP25 with a GP24 could mark the start of his resurgence that puts to bed any questions about his future. It will now be key for the Italian to build momentum and return to title contention next year.

Bagnaia gave Ducati an ultimatum at Misano, as the Italian demanded they gave him a GP24 to test after a torrid San Marino Grand Prix with which he found the feeling he lacked on the GP25. VR46 have revealed that Bagnaia used Franco Morbidelli’s GP24 with a GP25 engine.

Davide Tardozzi could not hide his joy after Bagnaia won the Motegi Sprint for his first win in the shortened format this term. Bagnaia won the Japanese Grand Prix for his second feature race win this season, too, despite smoke often coming from the exhaust on his Ducati GP25.