Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati contract now has less than 12 months on it as his time at the team draws to a potential close.
The two-time MotoGP champion suffered the worst year of his career in 2025, as he was thoroughly outclassed by teammate Marc Marquez.
For some reason, the GP25 really didn’t suit Bagnaia’s style and resulted in him retiring from six of the last seven Grands Prix.
This winter, it’s up to Ducati to fix those woes and give him a better bike for pre-season testing. From there, he can start to make a decision on his future.
Who is Ducati’s BEST option if they have to replace Francesco Bagnaia?
Fans don’t think Bagnaia is Marquez’s closest rival for the 2026 title, as the Spaniard looks to defend his honours post-comeback from a collarbone injury.
Bagnaia has been told to consider his Ducati future as he reaches decision time for his future. Soon, he could find himself suiting up for a rival.
READ MORE: Mat Oxley has identified a stat that shows just how far Ducati regressed with their 2025 bike
Francesco Bagnaia must be the first to attack the MotoGP rider market after pre-season testing
Bagnaia has lost ‘confidence’ at Ducati, and it’s something that he needs to focus on rebuilding over the next few months.
If he doesn’t, challenging for another title will be almost impossible for him. Right now, it already feels like an age ago that he was fighting Jorge Martin for the 2024 title, and that goes for both of them.
With the MotoGP rider market set to be the most chaotic it has ever been in 2026, everyone will be taking a bit of a guess as to who will be competitive at the start of the new regulations in 2027.
Whoever gets first pick will have a clear advantage. That’s why making a call on his future immediately after pre-season testing would be a wise move for Bagnaia.
If it looks inevitable that Ducati will let go of him, then why not get ahead of the game and ensure that he lands a seat with another manufacturer for next year?
Not only should it help him guarantee better financial terms, but it should also put him in a better position to win again in the future.
READ MORE: The five MotoGP riders most at risk of losing their seats in 2026 including Francesco Bagnaia
Why Francesco Bagnaia might benefit from leaving Ducati for 2027
Bagnaia has to ‘rediscover’ his feeling at Ducati if he wants to compete in 2026. He does have the advantage of the post-season test at Valencia, which his teammate missed out on.
But moving away for good, despite wanting to retire with the team he has always been a part of, could be best for everyone.
A fresh start, away from the negativity of the current situation, could be the reset that Bagnaia needs. A new support network could revitalise him.
But at the same time, he’ll be moving away from the best machine on the grid. Going to somewhere like Yamaha would pose its own challenges.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
