Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati’s immediate rider market plans aren’t necessarily difficult to predict. Marc Marquez could be the first rider to sign a new contract next year, but Francesco Bagnaia’s future is less certain.
Dismissing whispers about a potential return to Honda, Marquez says he wants a new Ducati deal. Given his historic performances this year, one would expect an extension to be done quickly.
Bagnaia is without doubt a Ducati legend, having won two world championships for the team in 2022 and 2023. But as his form on track has disappeared, his relationship with senior management appears to be under strain.
Ducati are ‘at the end of their rope’ with Bagnaia, who has recently indicated that he’s not allowed to answer questions about the exact specification of his bike. Fundamentally, he believes the GP25 is the biggest problem, while his engineers think the onus is on him to improve.
Luigi Dall’Igna has ‘a path laid out’ for Fermin Aldeguer to join Ducati
The regulation changes mean that the 2027 pecking order is uncertain, but the strength of the Ducati operation still makes them the most desirable team on the grid. They’ve already been linked with big-name riders.
For instance, Fabio Quartararo is on Ducati’s radar after publicly expressing frustration with Yamaha.
And Pedro Acosta is a known Ducati target after unsuccessful talks between the KTM rider and satellite squad VR46.
But speaking to GPOne, prominent rider manager Alberto Vergani suggested Luigi Dall’Igna could promote from within by signing Fermin Aldeguer. Aldeguer won his first Grand Prix in Indonesia last weekend.
“Fermin had already amazed me when he was 16,” said Vergani. “He’s a talented young man who’s proving his worth and has a serious, clean look.
“He’s not one of those who gets lost in trivialities and nonsense. He’s a hard worker, serious and professional.
“This is precisely why Ducati signed him up last year, and Dall’Igna has him in his sights for 2027.
“No one has a crystal ball. Certainly, he’s a young man of high regard, and I’m convinced that he has a path laid out in front of him to follow.
“Of course, the market is unpredictable, but Gigi certainly won’t let him slip away.”
What Fermin Aldeguer’s agent has said about his 2027 Ducati chances
Jorge Lorenzo is amazed by Aldeguer’s smooth riding style, drawing a contrast between his ‘precise’ approach and Acosta’s hyperactivity.
Aldeguer is eighth in the standings, now only 10 points behind experienced GP25 rider Fabio di Giannantonio and 26 adrift of Franco Morbidelli. He’s now scored six podiums across the two race formats in his rookie season.
He became the first newcomer to win a premier-class race since Jorge Martin in 2021, and only the sixth overall since the series’ 2002 rebrand.
Aldeguer’s agent is trying ‘everything’ to land him a Ducati seat for 2027. He won’t be riding a factory-spec bike next year as planned, with second-place Alex Marquez rewarded instead.
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