The battle for the Ducati factory MotoGP rider slot will be intense, as all rider contracts on the grid end after the 2024 MotoGP season. Francesco Bagnaia, two-time world champion, and Jorge Martin, one of the most talented drivers on the grid, are in the running. In addition, the arrival of Marc Marquez at Gresini adds an additional dimension. The transfer market within the Borgo Panigale clan therefore looks tense... But for Pecco Bagnaia's teammate place only.
Because it seems certain that the current double world champion will be renewed. So, according to Livio Suppo, Racing Consultant, former team leader at Ducati, Honda and Suzuki, the task will be difficult for the Borgo Panigale clan but manageable. In fact, he believes that Ducati will first try to preserve bagnaia, who is considered the main man of the team.
« All Ducati riders see their contracts end this year, so I assume the market will start soon ", said suppo à MotoGP.com. " But I'm sure Ducati will first try to retain Pecco Bagnaia. He's a double world champion, he's the main man at Ducati, so they have to keep it ».
However, Ducati has a two-year contract policy and does not offer long-term contracts, even with continued success. A situation with which it nevertheless agrees Pecco Bagnaia. The latter prefers two-year contracts to stay stimulated. He expresses his love for Ducati and thinks that it is reciprocal: “ for my part, I would not sign a longer contract » he said on the official website. “ I want to be stimulated. We saw how it played out with Marc Marquez, who signed a four-year contract renewal with Honda ».
Pecco Bagnaia Ducati: “ I wouldn't sign a contract for more than two years, we saw how it happened with Marc Marquez »
He adds : " I think the best thing is to think about two-year contracts to always do your best. My love for Ducati is there and will remain so. I think it's mutual ". A true statement to which the CEO of Ducati, Claudio Domenicali replied : " I don't think a long contract would be good for the company and for him. It's a competitive sport in which things change. We must all always remain under pressure ».
We therefore expect a rapid renewal of bagnaia in a red suit, and even more so as you will quickly have to decide on the name of your teammate: “ there will only be one place available in the factory team and that there will be a big battle for this place » says suppo. “ I think they would like to wait until summer, but that may not be possible ».
Then he mentions: “ I don't think Pecco will have a say in who his teammate is because, at least in my time, unless there is a very bad relationship between two drivers, there is no reason not to sign them. If there is no character issue, a driver cannot complain about people brought into the team just because he thinks they might be faster than him. Every factory should try to have the strongest team possible ". This qi therefore prohibits the exclusion Marc Marquez in the equation Ducati.
