Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia is now facing a make-or-break season in 2026, as the Italian looks to earn a new contract with Ducati ahead of his deal expiring at the end of next year.
The 28-year-old has raced for the Bologna Bullets since 2021 and been a factory-contracted Ducati rider since his debut in MotoGP for Pramac in 2019. But Bagnaia will now have to fight for his future in Borgo Panigale, after producing his worst campaign since 2020 during 2025.
Bagnaia fell from fighting for the title during each of the previous four seasons, and winning it in 2022 and 2023, to taking fifth in the 2025 standings. He also only scored 288 points in a year that Marc Marquez won Ducati the title with 545, despite missing the final four rounds.
Now, it is said that Ducati have already decided to part ways with Bagnaia when his contract ends in 2026, as his endless woe this term sealed the end of their sporting relationship. The Turin native only sealing fifth place in the standings was effectively the final nail in his coffin.
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Francesco Bagnaia believes ‘nothing has changed’ with Ducati wanting him
Ducati’s top priority is agreeing a new contract with Marquez for 2027, with the 32-year-old also set to be a free agent at the end of 2026. Such is the Spaniard’s rank in Borgo Panigale now that it has been said that Bagnaia could have to take a pay cut to stay at Ducati in 2027.
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Bagnaia is clear that, for him, there have not been any indications from the Ducati bosses so far to fear they do not want to re-sign him for 2027 or beyond. At present, only Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer has a factory Ducati contract beyond the end of the 2026 MotoGP season.
“Ask the questions to those who can answer them,” Bagnaia said, via GPOne. “The feeling is that nothing has changed.”
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Ducati refreshed their rider roster in 2025, as Marquez joined Bagnaia in their works line-up and Aldeguer filled the Spaniard’s void at Gresini for his rookie term. Marquez and Aldeguer both entered 2025 on two-year contracts, but the latter’s deal boasts options through 2028.
VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio also has a factory Ducati contract for 2026. But Bagnaia’s fate is at risk from far and wide, as World Superbike Championship rider Nicolo Bulega could join Ducati’s 2027 MotoGP line-up as they have already told the Italian that he will switch series.
Bagnaia even faces widespread competition from the MotoGP paddock, as Aldeguer, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Marquez are on Ducati’s radar for 2027. Additionally, KTM rider Pedro Acosta is widely expected to have a huge say in how the rider market develops next season.
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