Francesco Bagnaia’s future at Ducati has been called into question amid his disappointing performances in 2025. That seemed unthinkable at the start of the year.
Bagnaia has spent his entire MotoGP career on Desmosedici motorcycles, starting with two years at Pramac before a 2021 graduation to the factory team.
Since then, he hasn’t left the top two in the world championship. Runner-up to Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin, he delivered back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
| RANK | RIDER | WINS | POLES | PODIUMS | PTS |
| 1 | M Mar | 3 | 4 | 5 | 196 |
| 2 | A Mar | 1 | 0 | 4 | 172 |
| 3 | F Bag | 1 | 0 | 4 | 124 |
But Bagnaia’s streak could come to an end this year with Alex Marquez impressing on the GP24 at Gresini. Rider #63 has fallen nearly 50 points adrift of the top two, with teammate Marc Marquez leading the standings.
A report in Italy recently claimed that Yamaha are dreaming of signing Bagnaia if he parts with Ducati. His contract runs until the end of 2026.
Ducati want Francesco Bagnaia to stay despite 2025 struggles
Bagnaia was inevitably asked to address the rumours as he faced the media before the Grand Prix of Aragon. He told Canal+ that he’s given little thought to leaving.
While Martin has triggered an exit clause in his Aprilia deal, Bagnaia respects his contracts as a matter of principle. He also knows that Ducati offer him the best chance of winning right now, even if he’s uncomfortable on the bike and the brand aren’t looking quite as dominant as last year.
Crucially, Ducati have apparently assured Bagnaia that they want him to stay. As rival manufacturers shop the market, Luigi Dall’Igna’s squad haven’t been seriously linked with any potential replacements.
“I have a contract, and I always respect my contract,” Bagnaia said. “I never spoke or thought about anything else. I don’t want to move. Ducati want me to stay. This is what will happen from my point of view.”
Yamaha aren’t the only MotoGP team linked with Francesco Bagnaia
Veteran MotoGP manager Carlo Pernat called the Bagnaia to Yamaha rumours ‘absurd’. He isn’t sure whether the 28-year-old will stay ‘forever’, but can guarantee he’ll be there for the next 18 months at least.
Ducati are ‘running out of patience’ with Bagnaia’s complaints about the GP25 motorcycle. But that shouldn’t overshadow what he’s achieved in previous years.
This year’s MotoGP rider market looked fairly settled after last year’s reshuffle. But Martin’s bombshell Aprilia decision has sent tremors through the paddock.
Indeed, there’s even some chatter that Aprilia could target Bagnaia if they can’t hold onto the reigning champion. But it seems like the 30-time Grand Prix winner would rebuff any approach.
