One Ducati MotoGP rider told he’s now on ‘thin ice’ in 2026 after ‘boneheaded’ antics this season

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Ducati have retained their line-up for the 2026 MotoGP season as they look to continue their dominance in the premier class.

The Borgo Panigale outfit won their sixth consecutive constructors’ title in 2025, with Marc Marquez winning his seventh MotoGP title and ninth overall. The Ant of Cervera will continue with Ducati in 2026 alongside Francesco Bagnaia.

Gresini will keep Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, who both had impressive seasons on the GP24. The former finished runner-up in the championship, with Alex Marquez being rewarded with factory machinery for 2026, while the latter won rookie of the season.

VR46 were technically the second-in-command at Ducati in 2025, with Fabio Di Giannantonio having the third GP25 alongside Marc Marquez and Bagnaia. But despite this, they finished behind Gresini and without a win, with Diggia and Franco Morbidelli struggling in their own right.

Franco Morbidelli told he is on ‘thin ice’ at Ducati in 2026

Diggia was not comfortable on the GP25, finding no feeling from the bike compared to the GP24. Morbidelli rode the bike for a second consecutive season, but despite his teammate’s struggles, he was outscored, finishing seventh.

Morbidelli was at risk of leaving VR46 in 2025 as the team were linked with Pedro Acosta. While a move did not materialise as Dorna blocked the KTM rider from breaking his contract, the Italian is now on ‘thin ice’ at Valentino Rossi’s team.

Speaking via the Paddock Pass Podcast, journalist Adam Wheeler has suggested that he is running out of opportunities in MotoGP, thanks to his lack of results and his reputation with the stewards.

“He’s kind of on thin ice, don’t you think?” he said. “I mean, I don’t just mean with like Simon Crafar and race direction, but also in terms of his opportunities in MotoGP.

“Because if people start to view Franco a bit more of a liability rather than someone who’s going to be bringing consistent results, then that’s not going to be, I mean, he’s already at the last stopping point, isn’t he?

“In VR46 on a Ducati. I mean that is, it’s a nest, but it’s also a little bit of pressure. If you don’t deliver or you’re perceived to be not up to the job, then you’re out.”

Colleague David Emmett added: “Yeah. I mean, there is a clear upside because he can be really, really good. We’ve seen that, but there’s a huge downside as well because of all these boneheaded moves. And there are days where he just doesn’t turn up.”

Neil Morrison then said: “And you could make a point for the GP24 being one of the best race bikes ever built. Franco’s been on it for two years and has only scored a handful of podiums.

“Now, impressive podiums nonetheless, but still, you feel like if you’re a top, top rider, you should be winning races at least in your second year on that machine.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Franco Morbidelli from net worth to career stats

Franco Morbidelli needs to clean up his act if he wants to stay at VR46 in 2027

Morbidelli scored the least amount of podiums of any Ducati rider in 2025, with just two. While he did not finish at the lowest-ranked rider at the manufacturer, beating Aldeguer by 17 points, his results leave something to be desired, especially for someone riding arguably the best bike on the grid.

But by far the biggest problem for the VR46 rider is his antics on the track and how much trouble he gets into. Morbidelli has been caught up in several accidents in 2025, which have not only hampered him but also his fellow riders.

MotoGP fans have called for Morbidelli to be banned on several occasions this season, from holding up riders to aggressive overtakes to crashes. If he is to stay on the grid with VR46 in 2027, he needs to tidy up his act.

The 30-year-old will not be at the post-season test at Valencia after a bizarre accident with Aleix Espargaro on the grid on Sunday. He fractured his hand after hitting the back of the Honda test rider on his way to his grid slot.