MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia remains loyal to Ducati: Just before the start of the season, the Italian extends his contract for another two years in red
Four days before the first day of practice for the 2024 MotoGP season, Ducati announces the extension of its contract with World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. The champion of the past two years will ride for the Ducati factory team in MotoGP until at least the end of 2026. This was confirmed by Ducati on Monday afternoon in the week before the Qatar Grand Prix.
Bagnaia’s contract extension came as anything but a surprise. Following his second title win in November 2023, Ducati repeatedly made it clear that they would continue to work with the 27-year-old rider from Turin.
Bagnaia has been riding for Ducati since his MotoGP debut in the 2019 season. After two years with the Pramac team, he was promoted to the factory team at the end of 2020. To date, Bagnaia has celebrated a total of 18 Grand Prix victories and 35 podiums with Ducati in addition to the two titles
Three more years in red: Francesco Bagnaia is the first top rider to commit himself
“I am very happy that I can continue to ride for the team of my dreams,” commented Bagnaia on the contract extension. “It’s an honor for me to wear these colors. It’s fantastic and a source of pride.”
“Together with Ducati, my team and all the Ducati Corse staff, we have been able to achieve incredible things. In the three years ahead, we will continue to do our best to achieve further success,” said Bagnaia in the official statement from the Italian manufacturer.
Italian dream team: success makes Luigi Dall’Igna proud
Ducati Race Director Luigi “Gigi” Dall’Igna is proud to continue the collaboration with the MotoGP champion of the past two years: “Pecco was the first Italian to win a MotoGP world title on an Italian motorcycle. Together, we brought a world championship to Bologna that we hadn’t won for 15 years. “
“He is a two-time champion and has proven more than once that he more than deserves the number 1 on his fairing,” added Dall’Igna. Although the terms of the contract are strictly confidential, the Italian manufacturer’s salary policy suggests that the number 1 will receive a basic salary of around seven million euros, supplemented by a variable amount depending on results.
If Bagnaia were to win his third world championship in a row, his salary would most likely be ten million euros. With the most important personnel matter resolved, the biggest unknown in the Ducati universe remains the identity of the rider on the other side of the box.
Enea Bastianini has been riding the second factory Ducati since last year’s MotoGP season. Bastianini himself, Jorge Martin and most likely Marc Marquez are all in the running for this seat – assuming Marquez can fulfill the expectations that his move to Gresini has raised. Unlike Bagnaia, Bastianini and Martin, however, Marquez only rides a 2023 Ducati
