Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati’s riders, Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, are out of contract in 2026. But given that they are the best team in MotoGP, they have the most important decision to make for 2027.
Every rider on the grid would love to wear the red of the factory Ducati team. They have dominated MotoGP since the turn of the decade, winning six consecutive titles and three riders’ championships in the last four years.
In Marquez and Bagnaia, the Borgo Panigale outfit have arguably the greatest rider line-up in the sport’s history. But come 2027, both are out of contract, and they are in very different situations.
You are Luigi Dall’Igna. Pick your SIX Ducati riders for the 2027 MotoGP season 👇
With the Spaniard, the team will be desperate to retain him after he won 11 Grand Prix and 14 Sprints in 2025 and returned to the top of MotoGP. Several teams are interested in signing him, with Marquez reportedly wanting a pay rise from Ducati.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia’s future is more uncertain after suffering a dismal 2025 season. Finishing fifth in the standings with just two wins, he is now under pressure to secure a new contract.
Ducati will decide on Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia’s contracts after the GP26 launch, says Davide Tardozzi
Heading into 2026, the mood around Ducati is looking positive. Marquez has returned to a motorcycle after a lengthy recovery from his shoulder injury, while Ducati internally feel good about Bagnaia, having put 2025 behind him.
Most teams will want to finalise their 2027 line-ups and contracts before the 2026 season gets underway. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has revealed that a final decision on Marquez and Bagnaia will be made after the launch of the GP26.
He told GPOne: “I’d say it’s just talk for now. I don’t think decisions will be made that late, but it will still take time.
“Nothing will happen before the presentation because we’re focused on preparing the bikes and the event, it’s not the time to talk about certain things. I’d say we’ll do it after Madonna di Campiglio, or even later.”
Ducati will unveil the GP26 and the new livery on January 19 in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. The first shakedown of the bike will happen the following week in Sepang before the official pre-season test in February.
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Which other riders have been linked with Ducati in 2027?
It is not surprising to see Ducati halt their decision on securing Marquez and Bagnaia’s future. After all, they do have several options to consider.
Rumours have suggested that Pedro Acosta has already signed with Ducati, with previous reports saying that he had agreed on his new contract with an unnamed team. The Spaniard is putting pressure on KTM to build a winning bike, and he wants to join Borgo Panigale.
Fabio Quartararo is also linked with Ducati, as it looks more and more likely that he will part ways with Yamaha. The team have a critical decision to make with their rider line-up, but they will have to act fast.
KTM have made an offer to Marquez as a possible replacement for Acosta. Ducati could lose their star rider if they do not get back to negotiations soon, with Honda also keeping an eye on him.
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