Throughout his MotoGP journey, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia has remained loyal to Ducati since his debut in 2019 with Pramac Racing, eventually earning a promotion to the factory team in 2021.
In a historic moment for the Italian manufacturer, Bagnaia ended a 15-year championship drought in 2022, clinching the title. He solidified his prowess by securing a second championship victory last year, triumphing over Ducati rival Jorge Martin in a thrilling season finale in Valencia.
While the confirmation of Bagnaia’s continued partnership with Ducati for the 2024 season took longer than anticipated, General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna’s assertions proved accurate when Ducati officially announced the extension ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
This commitment binds the 27-year-old double MotoGP champion to Ducati until the end of 2026, signifying a substantial medium-term collaboration within the Ducati framework.
Expressing his elation, Bagnaia remarked, “I am very happy to be able to continue racing with the team of my dreams. Wearing these colors is an honor for me. It’s fantastic and a source of pride.” He emphasized his dedication to achieving further success alongside Ducati and his team.
Dall’Igna echoed these sentiments, highlighting Bagnaia’s pivotal role in Ducati’s recent achievements. “Pecco was the first Italian to win a world title in MotoGP on an Italian bike,” he noted, underscoring their shared success and Bagnaia’s deserving status as a two-time champion.
While the specifics of the contract remain confidential, Ducati’s salary structure suggests a base salary of approximately seven million euros for Bagnaia, augmented by performance-based bonuses. Notably, a potential third consecutive world championship could see Bagnaia’s earnings rise to around 10 million euros.
With Bagnaia secured, attention turns to the other factory garage slot currently occupied by Enea Bastianini. Contenders for this position include Bastianini himself, 2023 runner-up Jorge Martin, and potentially Marc Marquez, pending his performance at Gresini with a Ducati from the previous year.
Recent reports indicate Ducati’s future plans, including the signing of Moto2 frontrunner Fermin Aldeguer for the 2025 season with Pramac, potentially replacing Martin or Franco Morbidelli.
Bagnaia’s extended contract places him among a select few riders contracted beyond 2025, alongside Brad Binder, Luca Marini, and Johann Zarco, reflecting a stable foundation for the future within the MotoGP grid.
