Ducati’s interest cooled before they decided to sign Pedro Acosta as a replacement for Fabio Quatararo, according to MotoGP journalist Oriol Puigdemont.
Quattararo had the opportunity to ride a Ducati. In the year However, he opted to stay with Yamaha during MotoGP’s final contract cycle in 2024. Declining his satellite seat, Marc Marquez joins Jorge Martin for the seat next to Francesco Bagna.
with Quartararo’s contract expires at the end of 2026 And with Bagnaia expected to leave Ducati, it was thought that Luigi Daleigna might rekindle that interest, this time with a red bike in mind.
But while the El Diablo put up an impressive showing against the underpowered Yamaha, the expected reduction from the Borgo Panigale didn’t arrive.
Ducati dropped its interest in Fabio Quattroro before chasing Pedro Acosta
Speaking on Paddock pass The podcast, according to Puigdemont, has not been ‘totally interested’ in Ducati Quattararo for some time.
Instead they decided to go in another ‘direction’ Acosta They will be announced as their new rider in the near future. Quattro will join Honda Instead, according to the Spanish journalist’s report.
Asked if he was surprised by the result, Puigdemont said: “Not really, because that was the information I had from last year.” Ducati He was totally not interested in it, 100%.
“I was surprised when I got this information, but I double-checked and triple-checked, and they said, ‘No, we’re not going there.’
2021 World Champion Every quarter Last season saw five pole positions on MotoGP’s slowest bike, cementing the ‘best of the rest’ mantle behind Marc Marquez.
however, Quatartaro’s attitude has also been questioned. By some Yamaha insiders. Frustration at their lack of progress was filtered through Iwata’s ranks.
Ducati were ‘crazy’ to sign Pedro Acosta – even before Marc Marquez’s extension
Another problem for Quattararo is that Ducati is now balking at the idea of ​​signing Acosta, one of the most exciting talents in motorcycle racing.
Puigdemont, 21, has sacrificed wages to compete for MotoGP’s top team. Previously, Acosta says he’s the only one on the gridiron who isn’t motivated by money..
Ducati reached an agreement with Acosta It reflects the former’s stance on the rider market even before they have concluded talks with Marquez.
“They were very interested in Pedro Acosta,” Puigdemont said. “They’re crazy about Pedro Acosta, and they’re going there.
“Pedro Marc is in a position of risk, as he was before 2024, when he decides to break his Honda contract and drive for Gresini for free.
That’s what Pedro Acosta will do next year, I’m not saying he’ll race for free, but let’s say the money wasn’t his main goal, his main priority was the red bike.
“All I know is that they signed Pedro before the marque renewal. Ducati wanted to make sure they had the number one rider. Now they probably have two.”
