Ducati: Marquez “helped, protected” Bagnaia in rough moments

Marc Marquez “helped and protected” his team-mate Francesco Bagnaia during some of his toughest moments in the 2025 MotoGP season, according to Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi.

Three-time world champion Bagnaia endured what many regarded as his worst campaign in the premier class last year, struggling with the behaviour of the GP25, which he felt did not suit his riding style.

This decline in form coincided with Marquez’s arrival in the factory garage, with the Spaniard going on to dominate the championship with 11 victories and eight pole positions.

That contrast complicated Ducati’s internal dynamics, particularly with Bagnaia having been the marque’s most successful rider. Both sides acknowledged growing frustration at times, even publicly saying they are losing patience with each other, as Marquez ensured Ducati remained at the top in MotoGP almost every weekend.

However, as Ducati looks to reset with Bagnaia in 2026, Tardozzi revealed that Marquez played a key role in easing tensions and protecting his Italian team-mate during difficult moments.

“I’m going to tell you something I’ve told very few people,” Tardozzi told Autosport. “Believe me when I say that in moments of great difficulty for Pecco, especially on two very specific occasions, Marc told me to do or not do certain things so as not to bother him, because he was going very well and was worried about not disturbing Pecco’s serenity.

“I had never seen that in any other rider. A behaviour of helping and protecting Pecco, trying to tone down the enthusiasm over his victories. I don’t want to say when and where those two situations happened, because it wouldn’t be fair, but it showed a way of being that, in my opinion, belongs to a great person, a very good person.”

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Photo by: Ducati Corse

Bagnaia’s contract with Ducati expires at the end of 2026 and there is no guarantee that he will have a place at the factory team beyond that point, with KTM young gun Pedro Acosta being linked to the seat next to Marquez.

Asked by Autosport to assess Acosta as a rider, but not in the context of a potential Ducati signing, Tardozzi made no attempt to hide his admiration.

“It’s clear that Pedro, based on what he’s done in the Rookies Cup, Moto3 and Moto2, makes you think he’s a future candidate to win the MotoGP world championship,” he said.

“I’m not the one saying it - everyone can tell you that. At 21 years old, I think Acosta is the future of MotoGP, just as we think about Fermin [Aldeguer] and other riders from Moto3 or Moto2.”

Despite Motorsport.com reporting earlier this week that Ducati and Marquez have reached an agreement in principle for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, Tardozzi continued to play down certainty over the Spaniard’s future, particularly given strong financial interest from Ducati’s Japanese rivals.

“Who’s the crazy one who wouldn’t want Marc?” Tardozzi asked rhetorically. “Everyone wants him.” 

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, Davide Tardozzi, Team Manager Ducati

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

After Ducati’s launch event, Bagnaia said he will focus on taking things race by race, without rushing to decide his future. But with the current dynamics in the rider market, and with new regulations looming in 2027, Ducati may not be able to wait indefinitely.

“We have said that the priority is to renew Marquez. Marc has very interesting offers on the table - very interesting, obviously,” said Tardozzi.

“From a technical and economic point of view, we have an opportunity: he knows us and we know him. That allows us to wait a little because we have a good feeling. We still need a bit of time to make a decision. We hope he makes it soon and that it is to continue with Ducati, obviously. But he has asked us for a bit of time and we have given it to him.”

Asked where that leaves Bagnaia, Tardozzi said: “Once we know whether Marc continues with us or not, we will think about the other rider. What is clear is that if Marquez decides to leave, the priority will be to renew Bagnaia.”