Bagnaia extends through 2026 with Ducati

Just days before the opening round of the 2024 MotoGP season in Lusail, Qatar, Francesco Bagnaia has put pen to paper on a contract extension that will see the Italian racing with Ducati Corse through to 2026. 

“I am so happy to continue racing with the team of my dreams!” Bagnaia said.

“Wearing these colours is an honour for me. 

“It’s fantastic and a source of pride.”

The two-time MotoGP world champion has won both his championships with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer after joining the Ducati brand with Pramac Racing in 2019.

After securing his maiden MotoGP podium at his home race at Misano Adriatico in 2020, the #1 was promoted to the factory team the following year.

Francesco Bagnaia claimed his maiden podium with Pramac Racing at the San Marino GP in 2020. Image: Gold and Goose / LAT Images.

Ducati Corse Team Manager Luigi Dall’Igna shared the young Italian’s excitement about remaining with the team.

“We are extremely happy to have Bagnaia with us again for 2025 and 2026,” Dall’Igna said.

“Together, we have written an important page of motorcycling history: Pecco was the first Italian rider to win a World Title in MotoGP with an Italian bike, our Desmosedici GP. 

“Together, we brought back a Riders’ World Title that had been missing for 15 years, and we did it again last year. 

“He is a two-time World Champion and has proven on more than one occasion that he truly deserves the number 1 on the fairing of his bike.” 

“In addition to these results, Bagnaia continues to demonstrate that he is in perfect harmony with his bike and team.

“For all these reasons, it was natural for us to want to continue with him. 

“Therefore, we look forward to this new chapter together, confident that we can achieve other important results.”

His first year with the Ducati Lenovo Team was a near-dream, narrowly missing out on the championship to Fabio Quatararo during a thrilling season in the sport. 

Bagnaia celebrating after the Valencia GP. Image: Gold and Goose / LAT Images.

In 2022, however, he would be successful in his championship campaign, winning his first MotoGP title and Ducati’s second, following Casey Stoner’s 2007 success.

Last year, he battled down to the wire with Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martín, coming out on top to take his second championship win. 

“Together with Ducati, my team, and all the guys at Ducati Corse, we’ve achieved incredible things. 

“In these three more years ahead of us, we’ll continue to give our best to achieve as much success as possible. 

“I am overjoyed and ready to hit the track in Qatar for the first race of the year.”

Bagnaia will be tied to Ducati through the 2025 and 2026 seasons, making him the second rider in Ducati’s history to be linked to the team for a total of eight years.

Round 1 of the MotoGP season will kick off in Lusail, Qatar this weekend, with Free Practice 1 running from 11:45 PM, Friday AEST.

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