MotoGP star rejects offer to become Ducati test rider after losing his seat

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Luca Marini has rejected an offer to join Ducati’s test team for the 2027 season, according to Manuel Pecino.

Marini has lost his spot as a Honda factory rider after the manufacturer made moves for Fabio Quartararo and David Alonso.

Quartararo will join the official team alongside either Alonso or Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco remains under contract at LCR, even if his serious knee and ankle injury in Barcelona has raised some doubt over his future in the MotoGP class.

Luca Marini said no to Ducati with Tech3 seat lined-up instead

Honda had hoped to supply Tech3 next year, opening up two extra bikes, but they opted to renew their deal with KTM instead. That meant they had no spaces to offer Marini.

Pecino, speaking on his YouTube channel recently, reported that Ducati saw Marini as a potential successor to Michele Pirro. Pirro has made two stand-in appearances for Gresini this year as an injury replacement, but he will turn 40 in a matter of days.

Marini has a reputation in the paddock as an intelligent, reliable ‘bike developer’ and now has over 100 races of experience in MotoGP.

“Ducati offered him Pirro’s position,” Pecino said. “Ducati sees in him a rider who doesn’t crash, a good bike developer, and a rider who’s fast enough, and they offered him to be test rider.

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“He has rejected Ducati’s offer because he must have something else, because otherwise, he would have accepted.”

Marini’s motivation for turning down the approach is now clear. While Valentino Rossi is set to sign Nicolo Bulega for VR46 rather than reuniting with his half-brother, a Tech3 spot has opened up after all.

After missing out on Raul Fernandez, Tech3 are closing in on Marini, who will likely partner a Moto2 graduate.

Veteran riders like Franco Morbidelli, Jack Miller, Brad Binder and Alex Rins are expected to drop off the grid, but it remains to be seen whether they fit the bill for the Ducati support role.