Francesco Bagnaia is the most successful product of the VR46 Riders Academy so far, but his future with Ducati is uncertain after the 2025 MotoGP season.
The 29-year-old has fought for the title in each of his first four seasons. DucatiHe won the championship in 2022 and 2023. But Bagnaya In the year He fell far short of his place in 2025, as the Italian managed to finish fifth with the riders with just 288 points.
In fact, it is said. Ducati has decided to release Bagnaia In the year With his contract expiring at the end of 2026, their fifth place in the 2025 rankings was the final straw. Ducati’s ride height device bothered BagnayaHe has not finished six of the last seven Grands Prix in 2025.
Prove me wrong: Francesco Bagnaia Confidence is the first thing to improve.
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Valentino Rossi wants Francesco Bagnaia to commit to VR46 ahead of 2026 season
Given that the status of Bhagnaya is very successful VR46 production, Motor sports magazine Ducati announced that it could act as a ‘safety net’ if the team released him. If Bagnaia has another frustrating season in 2026, a switch to the VR46 team next year is more likely.
Read more: The best moments of Francesco Bagnaia’s MotoGP career
Bagnaia is fighting to prove he deserves a new contract at Ducati and the chance to lead into the 2027 MotoGP regulations era. A strong 2026 could also attract rival offers, but VR46 could give Bagnaya a chance to ‘redeem himself’ if he comes again in 2027.
Christmas Valentino Rossi Before the plan gets any momentum, it will hit a snag on the way to VR46 at Bagnaya. Rossi says he knows the VR46 2027 line-up but “can’t say”. It is known that he will compete with his staff and finalize contracts before the 2026 season.
Rossi doesn’t want to wait to see how the drivers perform in the first few rounds of the 2026 season before completing the VR46’s 2027 lineup. So Bagnaia needs to commit to the VR46 now if he wants to seal the deal with Rossi’s crew, or if he hopes his form in 2026 will bring him rival offers.
Francesco Bagnaia is interested from the Aprilia, Honda and Yamaha factory teams.
As it stands, it remains to be seen whether Ducati will consider Rossi’s offer to join VR46 in 2027 if Bagnaia leaves. It is said that Bagnaia is currently not interested in joining a satellite MotoGP team. In 2027, although he remains in the ranks of Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia will finish the MotoGP Championship in 2026
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Factory supplies are currently available pending the shows the Turin native is able to produce in 2026. Massimo Rivola confirmed that Bagnaia is a “challenger” for ApriliaThat he fully expects Ducati to drop and Marc Marquez to move with Pedro Acosta next time.
In addition, according to reports Honda and Yamaha are interested in Bagnaia. For the 2027 season, both Japanese brands will be able to offer factory rides. Honda’s Luca Marini and Joan Mir and Yamaha’s Fabio Quatarro and Alex Rins are all out of contract at the end of 2026.
