MotoGP: Bagnaia set to part ways with Ducati at the end of 2026

Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati will end one of the most successful partnerships in modern MotoGP history at the conclusion of the 2026 season, bringing an eight‑year collaboration — six of them with the Ducati Lenovo Team — to a close.

The Valencia Grand Prix will mark Bagnaia’s final race in Ducati red, closing a chapter defined by titles, records, and a shared rise to the top of the premier class.

Bagnaia leaves as the most successful rider ever on the Desmosedici GP, with two Riders’ World Championships, 31 victories, 63 podiums, and 28 pole positions to date.

His arrival in 2019 as a young MotoGP rookie began a long‑term project built on trust, meticulous development, and a deep personal connection with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. Together, rider and team elevated the Desmosedici GP to its peak performance, fulfilling Bagnaia’s childhood dream of mastering the machine he had admired since youth.

The partnership delivered Ducati’s first Riders’ Championship in 15 years when Bagnaia clinched the 2022 crown — the first since Casey Stoner’s 2007 triumph — and continued with a second title in 2023. His 2024 campaign alone produced 11 victories, contributing to an unprecedented run of success for both rider and manufacturer.

Ducati emphasised that the decision to part ways comes with mutual respect and a shared commitment to finishing the 2026 season at the highest level.

Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali paid tribute to Bagnaia’s impact on the brand: “Pecco has written some of the most memorable chapters in Ducati's history, bringing the MotoGP World Title back to Borgo Panigale in 2022 after the first one secured in 2007.

"That triumph marked the beginning of the most successful era for the brand in the premier class, with four Riders' Titles won, two of them by Pecco himself.”

Domenicali highlighted the symbolic importance of Bagnaia’s first championship: “The 2022 title has a special meaning for me, as it was the culmination of a restructuring process within Ducati Corse that allowed us to return to the forefront after a particularly difficult period.”

He also praised Bagnaia’s style and character: “His clean and elegant riding style (I like to call him ‘Il Pinturicchio’), together with his great fairness on track — combined with remarkable determination when overtaking — made Ducatisti fall in love with him. On top of that, he is a great professional and a great person away from racing.”

Domenicali closed with a message of gratitude and confidence: “I am sure Pecco will give his all until his very last day in red… On behalf of everyone at Ducati, our heartfelt thanks, Pecco.”

Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna reflected on the long‑term vision behind Bagnaia’s arrival: “Pecco is one of those riders with whom the spark ignited immediately. We sought him out and wanted him from a very young age to build a project around him. He's fast and, above all, clever.”

Dall’Igna credited Bagnaia for helping unlock the Desmosedici’s full potential: “The goal was to bring the Desmosedici GP to its full potential. We achieved it… thanks to Pecco's talent, which, 15 years later, has brought Ducati's red back to the top of the rankings.”

He also emphasised the strength of their relationship: “During all these seasons spent together, we've built a mature and solid relationship, founded on gratitude, trust, and respect. It's the same relationship that has allowed us to overcome difficult times, always united.”

And he acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision: “In relationships, it's not always easy to recognize and understand when a cycle has ended and change is needed.

"The deep bond of mutual affection that unites us will not change and will be the key for managing all the races till the end of the season and for closing this journey on a high note.”