Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia was inevitably asked about his future at the launch of Ducati’s 2026 MotoGP bike launch. It’s clear at the outset that this could be his final year at the team.
Bagnaia is the only rider in Ducati’s history to win multiple championships, but his bond with the team was severely tested last season. Nobody on his side of the garage could explain his inconsistent results and the growing gap to Marc Marquez.
This occasionally led to finger-pointing, and Bagnaia slipped to fifth in the standings, 257 points behind his world champion teammate. Ducati may now feel that there are stronger options available on the market.
Indeed, there is rampant speculation that Pedro Acosta will sign for Ducati and become Marquez’s 2027 teammate. Aprilia’s Massimo Rivola fuelled it earlier this month.
Is Pedro Acosta joining Ducati inevitable?
If that move does happen, Bagnaia’s CV is still strong enough to attract multiple offers.
Francesco Bagnaia’s tone has shifted when discussing his Ducati future
Even though Ducati say that they are not yet in talks with the Italian over an extension, Bagnaia said he was ‘extremely relaxed’ about his situation.
The Race’s Simon Patterson, who was present at the event in the Dolomites, detected a change in the rider’s attitude.
Previously, Bagnaia has stated that he wants to finish his career at Ducati. Now, he may be more open to the idea of leaving.
Francesco Bagnaia on his MotoGP future
“It almost feels like he has realised that he’d be better served elsewhere, rather than him being of the opinion that it’s time to get out or feeling like he’s being forced out,” Patterson said.
“Everyone realises eventually that being Marc Marquez’s teammate isn’t that much fun. Maybe he’s realised that there is a chance that Pedro Acosta is going to end up as Marc’s teammate next year.
“Why not get ahead of the curve? When Massimo Rivola is saying, ‘You’re going to get sacked’, why not go to Rivola and say, ‘Put a deal in front of me, make me an offer’, or go and have that conversation with Honda before they sign Jorge Martin.”
Which teams could Francesco Bagnaia join if he leaves Ducati?
In the past, VR46 have offered a ‘safety net’ to academy graduates who have lost seats elsewhere. Valentino Rossi’s team could be an option, although staying within the Ducati setup would be an awkward outcome.
Unsurprisingly, Bagnaia’s preference is a factory seat regardless. This is a rider who ranks inside the top 10 all time for premier class wins.
In the same interview where he made the Acosta to Ducati prediction, Rivola called Bagnaia a ‘tempting’ candidate for Aprilia. As Patterson mentioned, former title rival Jorge Martin may leave the team.
And during the off-season, Bagnaia has also been linked with Honda and Yamaha. There’s a chance that every factory enters 2027 with a new line-up.
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