Gigi Dall'Igna doesn't speak without purpose. When he publicly mentions a rider, especially in a context as sensitive as the 2027 MotoGP market, every word carries weight. And his recent statement about the rider he would sign if Ducati had the opportunity to field a third factory bike in 2026 is far from insignificant. Because behind this unrealistic regulatory scenario lies a much more concrete message about the sporting future of Borgo Panigale.
Since his arrival at the head of the Ducati Corse project in 2013, Gigi Dall'Igna shaped the brand's modern identity. Andrea Iannone was his first recruit, Francis Bagnaia his winning bet, and Marc Marquez his most recent masterstroke. Each time, his choices have structured the current dominance of Ducati in MotoGP. Today, while the brand reigns supreme in the championship and all key contracts are due to expire at the end of 2026, the Italian general manager is already looking further ahead.
When asked which driver he would like to add to a team Ducati ideally composed of Marc Marquez et Francis BagnaiaDall'Igna left no room for ambiguity. The name he cites is that of Peter Acosta, currently under contract with KTM.
« I'd like to see Pedro Acosta at Ducati ", he declared to Moto sprint. " He is one of the young riders capable of making motorcycle history. »
At Ducati, Gigi Dall'Igna is the only man who makes the decisions… and he spoke
This phrase, uttered almost casually, nevertheless resonated like a bombshell in the paddock. Acosta is not just a promising talent: he is already a reality. Moto3 world champion in his first season in 2021, crowned in Moto2 in 2023, then quickly competitive in MotoGP with Tech3 before joining the official team KTM in 2025, the Spaniard of 21 years confirmed last year that he was ready to compete at the highest level. His end to the 2025 season, marked by four podium finishes after the summer break, contrasts sharply with that of bagnaiawhose momentum collapsed abruptly.
The figures speak for themselves. Acosta finished the 2025 season in fourth place in the championship, with a 19-point lead over bagnaiaA seemingly minor detail, but a powerful symbol within a hierarchy Ducati which is being redefined. Where Acosta was gaining power, bagnaia struggled to finish the Grands Prix, managing only one victory in the last seven rounds, despite a solid start to the year. In such a ruthless championship, trajectory sometimes matters more than record.
Officially, Ducati can only field one factory team. Unofficially, the statement from Dall'Igna This reveals one essential thing: Acosta is currently the most sought-after rider in Borgo Panigale outside of its own camp. And this isn't a distant projection. The contracts of Marquez, Bagnaia et Acosta all expire at the end of 2026. In a market that is expected to freeze very early, every public signal becomes an element of negotiation, or even of pressure.
Without ever openly criticizing him, Dall'Igna also sends a clear message to bagnaiaIn MotoGP, being the incumbent rider no longer guarantees anything. Ducati is already preparing for the futureMarquezand there is no indication that this future will automatically involve the Italian two-time world champion. Acosta represents youth, long-term vision, and the ability to embody a new era, just like Marquez had done it for Honda in his days.
In short, Gigi Dall'Igna He didn't just evoke a theoretical dream. He sketched the future backbone of Ducati in MotoGP. And in this vision, Pedro Acosta It's no longer a rumor: it's already a certainty. At DucatiOne man alone decides… and he has spoken
