Luigi Dall’Igna reacts to claims that Francesco Bagnaia could swap Ducati for VR46

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Francesco Bagnaia has embraced some increasingly radical solutions as he tries to break out of his Ducati crisis. Sacrificing his factory seat would be the boldest step of all.

But that’s what some within MotoGP have suggested could happen. Most recently, Aprilia ambassador and former rider Max Biaggi said Bagnaia could join a Ducati satellite team, if it were contractually possible.

There’s a school of thought that Bagnaia could move to VR46 for next year, effectively swapping sweats with Fabio Di Giannantonio. ‘Diggia’ also rides a factory-spec bike and is contracted to Ducati.

VR46 owner Valentino Rossi is Bagnaia’s mentor. A change of environment is arguably necessary for a rider who appears to be increasingly at odds with his Ducati team, based on his media debriefs.

Luigi Dall’Igna rules out Francesco Bagnaia joining VR46

Speaking to GPOne, though, Ducati general manager Luigi Dall’Igna ruled out Bagnaia making such a move. He says the contracts of the riders involved are ‘extremely’ clear.

Echoing what Bagnaia said himself on Thursday, Dall’Igna played down the importance of external speculation. The noise is inevitable given how much the two-time world champion has struggled.

“People always say so many things without knowing what the contracts are,” he said. “I feel comfortable denying this possibility.

“There are clear contracts signed by VR, signed by Ducati, signed by Pecco and Diggia. They speak extremely clearly.”

Bagnaia is under contract at Ducati until the end of 2026. His future beyond that appears increasingly uncertain – Dall’Igna is reportedly looking at Pedro Acosta, who brings youth and stardom.

Luigi Dall’Igna says Ducati need to stop telling the media their ‘business’

In the same interview, Dall’Igna addressed the controversy about Bagnaia’s alleged GP24 test at Misano. VR46 claimed that the #63 used Franco Morbidelli’s bike at the event.

Ducati were seemingly unhappy with their stablemates for revealing this to the media. Dall’Igna feels they have been too open and wants them to stop sharing their ‘business’ with the media, the same approach taken by their rivals.

“The technical things that happen within a team or manufacturer, I think it’s right that they stay within a team or manufacturer,” he explained. “We’ve probably been the ones who have explained more than anyone else over the years, mistakenly.

“Nobody knows what KTM is doing, nobody knows what evolutions Aprilia have brought this year. Everyone talks about the evolutions Ducati has brought instead, and it simply seems right to me stop telling people our business.”

Ducati have swept all three world championships this year, but Bagnaia’s plight has undercut the celebrations.