Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta are at the centre of the MotoGP rider market in 2026 as Ducati weigh up their options for 2027.
Marquez and teammate Pecco Bagnaia are out of contract at the end of the year. Ducati will want to act fast to secure their riders for 2027, but as the defending champions, multiple talents want to race in red.
It has been reported that Marquez has signed a new two-year contract at Ducati, taking him until at least 2028. The Borgo Panigale outfit wanted to retain the Spaniard as soon as possible, while his teammate’s future is more uncertain.
Marc Marquez’s new Ducati contract looks a done deal 👀 but who should be his teammate in 2027?
After a torrid 2025 campaign, Bagnaia is under pressure to secure a new contract. The Italian will need to find improvements on the GP26, as several riders are looking to replace him.
Fabio Quartararo has been linked with Ducati as he threatens to leave Yamaha. But Pedro Acosta has been the name popping up the most, and the Bologna Bullets’ rivals have been stirring the pot in the MotoGP rider market.
Marc Marquez will ‘never’ discuss who his Ducati teammate could be out of respect for Pecco Bagnaia
It has been reported that Acosta has already signed for Ducati for the 2027 season. The 21-year-old is frustrated at KTM as he wants to have a winning bike, which they cannot provide.
Acosta is the rising star in MotoGP, and riding a Ducati would certainly give him the tools to become a world champion. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola commented on the potential Marquez-Acosta partnership at Ducati, calling it a ‘match made in heaven’.
GPOne asked Marquez about his future at Ducati’s launch of the GP26’s livery on Monday. Responding to Rivola, the Ant of Cervera said he would not discuss who could be his teammate out of respect for Bagnaia.
“I have never, and I repeat this because everything has been said, set any conditions regarding my teammate,” he said “I only look at my project, my future, what I need to be happy.
“I believe the motivation is the same; you can’t influence a project. It’s clear that every project has its variables, and at the moment, my teammate is Pecco. I respect him very much, so I won’t say who else could be my teammate.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
What does Francesco Bagnaia need to do to secure his Ducati future?
With Marquez seemingly tied down, the pressure is now on Bagnaia to follow in his footsteps and secure a new Ducati contract.
Davide Tardozzi says Bagnaia must ‘live with’ the pressure in 2026. He needs to be much closer to Marquez and win more races on the GP26.
Early signs are encouraging for the 29-year-old, as he appears happy and comfortable on the new Desmosedici. It could be the bike he needs to return to form.
Bagnaia is ‘extremely relaxed’ about his future and is not worried about a new contract right now. But a poor start to 2026 could see his chances of staying at Ducati shattered.
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