Francesco Bagnaia only has one ‘possible alternative’ if he wants to leave Ducati before 2026

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Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati are in a tense situation after the drama surrounding his bike at Mandalika, which has prompted rumours of an exit.

Ducati looked to have made a breakthrough with the 28-year-old after months of struggle on the GP25, as Bagnaia claimed a double win at Motegi. It was later revealed that Bagnaia had tested GP24 parts at Misano and used them in Japan.

It is believed that he used the same bike at the Indonesian GP, but the two-time MotoGP champion suffered a disastrous weekend. Bagnaia qualified 16th, before finishing last in the Sprint and crashing out from last in the main race.

Bagnaia was furious with Ducati as he demanded answers for his ‘unacceptable’ performance. There have now been rumours of a dispute between the two parties, with Ruben Xaus believing Bagnaia’s inner circle blamed him for his woes at Mandalika.

Ducati are ‘at the end of their rope’ with Bagnaia, after his dismal weekend overshadowed the factory team winning the title. The Italian has a contract until 2026, but people are starting to wonder if he might be shown the door before it expires.

The problem for Bagnaia is that LCR have the only seat yet to be confirmed for 2026, and Diogo Moreira is set to take it. With his relationship with Ducati at an all-time low, he has only one ‘possible alternative’.

VR46 is Francesco Bagnaia’s only ‘possible alternative’ if he wants to leave Ducati before 2026

According to journalist Giovanni Zamagni, it would be possible for Bagnaia to join satellite team VR46 next season. He references that Davide Tardozzi has said that Ducati can move their riders among their teams if they so please.

He discussed via Moto.it: “So, the only possible alternative would be to leave the official team to join the VR46 team. First of all, it is possible on a contractual level. Obviously, I don’t know the contracts in detail.

“In the past, up until last year, Davide Tardozzi confirmed in an interview, Ducati riders have a contract with Ducati that must guarantee them the official bike, but then Ducati can choose the team where to put its riders.

“And then there’s another aspect, that I believe no rider has ever left, or wanted to leave, or asked to leave the official team to join a satellite team. It would be something new. However, I believe this solution would be possible.”

Zamagni also mentions that, if this were to happen, Fabio Di Giannantonio would be the rider to make way. Riding the GP25 this season, a straight swap might be plausible, given Ducati have spoken to Di Giannantonio about a factory move in the past.

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

What are the benefits of Francesco Bagnaia joining VR46 in 2026?

Of course, joining VR46 from Ducati would be a step down for Bagnaia, given he would be moving away from the factory setup. However, there are several positives for the Italian if he were to move to the satellite team.

Firstly, he has close ties to the team, given that he came through the VR46 academy and he is still managed by them. It would also be a reunion with Valentino Rossi, who holds Bagnaia in high regard, having given him the tools to progress to MotoGP from his Moto2 days.

The 28-year-old would almost certainly become the team’s lead rider, a title Marc Marquez has stripped him of at the factory team. Rossi would definitely give Bagnaia more freedom with bike setup and changes, unlike Luigi Dall’Igna at Ducati.

Dall’Igna’s ‘ego’ prevented Bagnaia from riding the GP24, as it would indicate that he built a worse bike in 2025. Given that the Ducati chief spends little to no time in satellite garages, the rider will have more say on development.

What’s more is that Bagnaia can ride the GP24 at VR46 in 2026, as it is homologated under the engine freeze. Jorge Lorenzo sees no ‘gain’ for Bagnaia leaving Ducati early, but with the current friction, it might be the only solution.