Ducati “in no hurry” to re-sign Bagnaia beyond MotoGP 2024
The factory Ducati team says it is discussing with MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia’s management over a new deal but is “in no hurry” to sign.
The Italian snapped a 15-year title drought for Ducati in 2022 when he beat Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo to the championship, marking the Italian brand’s first since 2007.
Bagnaia then successfully defended his crown in 2023, fending off Ducati rival Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing in a showdown at the final round of the season.
With his contract up for renewal at the end of the season, Bagnaia is a major piece of the 2025 rider market – though a move away from Ducati is unlikely.
Speaking to motogp.com after pre-season testing – in which Bagnaia was dominant on the 2024 Ducati – team manager Davide Tardozzi offered an update on contract negotiations with the world champion.
“We are discussing the latest details with his manager,” Tardozzi said.
“We are in no hurry. Pecco is already focused on the 2024 championship and seeing how the first race in Losail goes.
“But we are trying to finalise things as soon as possible. There is no deadline.
Davide Tardozzi, Team manager Ducati Team, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“Both parties want to stay together, Pecco wants to stay at Ducati and we also want him to stay with us. So, I think it’s a matter of time.
“We will try to do it as soon as possible but, again, without rushing.”
Only four riders coming into the 2024 season are contracted beyond the year: Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta at KTM, and Johann Zarco and Luca Marini with Honda.
Ducati has a stacked roster of riders who will be gunning for a factory team seat in 2025, including Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi and new Gresini signing Marc Marquez.
Had Martin won the championship in 2023, he would have automatically earned a promotion to the factory Ducati team.
Bastianini – who was signed to the works team over Martin for 2023 – remains for 2024, and appears to have found his form again in pre-season testing after an injury-hit campaign last year.
Bagnaia will begin his second title defence on 10 March in Qatar.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Top Comments
MotoGP 2025 rider line-up: Who is confirmed for next year?
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
MotoGP still dealing with ‘aftershock’ of Bagnaia and Marquez Aragon clash
Bagnaia apologises for blasting Alex Marquez after Aragon MotoGP clash
The talent-outweighing ambition that will kill Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP title hopes
Ducati's GP24 "much simpler" to ride than last year's MotoGP bike, says VR46
Ducati’s MotoGP advantage will begin to disappear from 2025, reckons Espargaro
The unique advantage Ducati must now use to win the 2022 MotoGP title
Neuville: Nothing is done yet with roughest Acropolis stage to come
WRC Acropolis: Neuville avoids drama to lead after brutal Saturday
Bagnaia "angry" after losing ground to Martin in MotoGP title fight
MotoGP actively seeking second US race but no plans for 2025
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
