Jakarta – Ducati has confirmed that it will not offer a five-year contract extension to its rider Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia.
Bagnaia was reportedly seeking a long-term deal following Ducati’s back-to-back championship wins in MotoGP 2022 and 2023. However, the idea of a multi-year contract is said to be off the table.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali explained that extending the collaboration for such a period would not be beneficial for either the company or its riders.
“This is a competitive sport, and everything changes. We must all remain under pressure,” Domenicali said, as quoted by Sky Sport Italia.
Long-term contracts are still quite uncommon in MotoGP. Six-time world champion Marc Marquez might be the only rider who has received an invitation for the longest cooperation span.
The Spaniard previously signed a four-year deal with Honda in 2020, but their partnership ended a year earlier.
After completing his contract with Honda, Marquez has now moved to the Ducati Gresini team. He will be a competitor to other Ducati riders, including Bagnaia.
Domenicali said Marquez’s presence will certainly make Bagnaia’s title defense next season more challenging. As a result, they will need to see how the competition unfolds among the riders next year.
“This year will be tough. Pecco will not only have to face a very strong Jorge (Martin) as a challenger but also many others, from (Fabio) Quartararo to (Marco) Bezzecchi and Marquez,” he added.
Bagnaia, who battled with Jorge Martin for the title this season, enters the final year of his contract.
Therefore, his performance next year could be decisive for his future. If he becomes champion, Ducati is likely to extend his current contract.