Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia faces a make-or-break 2026 season at Ducati as he risks losing his seat when his contract expires.
The Italian had a woeful 2025 season, finishing fifth in the standings. Winning just twice all season, he could not adapt to the GP25 and dramatically faded away, retiring from six of the last seven races.
Francesco Bagnaia failed to score points in 18 of his 44 races in 2025.
With his contract expiring in 2026, the two-time MotoGP champion is facing pressure to stay with Ducati. Reports have suggested that Bagnaia’s future is already decided, but the general feeling is that he will leave the team if he has another season like 2025.
Claudio Domenicali wants Bagnaia at the front with Marc Marquez next season, putting him under pressure to deliver results. If he cannot, Ducati already have potential replacements lined up.
Marco Melandri picks Pedro Acosta as Ducati’s ‘best choice’ to replace Francesco Bagnaia in 2027
Three Bagnaia replacements ‘keep coming up’ in the paddock as speculation grows about the Ducati rider’s future. Fermin Aldeguer, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Marquez are considered options for 2027.
But the Borgo Panigale outfit are also keeping tabs on Pedro Acosta and his situation at KTM. The Spaniard had tried to break his contract and join VR46 for next season, but the move was blocked.
However, as KTM’s financial crisis wears on and the Spaniard’s impatience grows larger, Acosta has become a prime target for Ducati. Speaking via GPOne, former Ducati rider Marco Melandri thinks he is the ‘best choice’ to replace Bagnaia.
“Marquez-Acosta would be a dream team in its own right. Then, again, Ducati has to think about planning its future and, considering his young age, I think Acosta is the natural and best choice.
“He’s young, he’s very fast and he’s bad, because he always gives it his all on the bike. We see it with KTM. I think Pedro is the right choice, and they shouldn’t let him get away in view of 2027.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
How Francesco Bagnaia can secure his future at Ducati in 2026
Bagnaia has made it clear that he wants to stay at Ducati and see out his MotoGP career with the team. But he needs to improve on the GP26 next season if he wants any chance of landing a new contract.
Next year’s Desmosedici could give him a better feeling than the GP25. Bagnaia agrees with the Marquez brothers that the foundation for the GP26 is good, having felt more comfortable on the bike during post-season testing.
Francesco Bagnaia on his MotoGP future
Bagnaia can land a new Ducati contract in pre-season if he is on the pace. He needs to be much closer to Marc Marquez to secure his future.
Beating the Spaniard is almost impossible on the same bike. But with the right tools and setup, he could mount a much better challenge than 2025.
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