Ducati has confirmed that reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia did not attempt to influence their decision to sign Marc Marquez for the 2025 season. This news comes after a dramatic off-track battle for the second factory Ducati seat alongside Bagnaia.
The fight initially appeared to be between Jorge Martin and the legendary Marc Marquez. Martin, Bagnaia’s current teammate, seemed to be the frontrunner early on. However, Ducati’s fear of losing Marquez to a competitor led to a last-minute switch, bringing the eight-time world champion into the fold.
While Bagnaia previously expressed a desire to retain his current teammate Enea Bastianini, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna confirms Bagnaia did not try to sway their decision. “The reaction of Pecco was really good,” Dall’Igna said. He acknowledged Bagnaia’s professionalism and understanding of Ducati’s goal to be championship contenders. “In the end, he’s a professional rider and he understood our decision.”
This move creates arguably the strongest MotoGP lineup ever seen for Ducati, boasting an incredibly talented rider pairing. However, questions arise regarding their ability to collaborate effectively as teammates, given their past fierce on-track battles.
Dall’Igna remains optimistic about their potential partnership. “We have to be good enough to do that,” he admitted. “It will not be easy, but honestly speaking, I know the team and the people that work for me. Working together like we have done in the past, we can do this.”
The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for MotoGP fans, with Ducati’s formidable duo of Bagnaia and Marquez at the center of attention. Can they translate their individual brilliance into a successful team effort and dominate the championship race? Only time will tell if Ducati’s gamble on this talented yet potentially volatile pairing will pay off.
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