Pecco Bagnaia is on track to have his immediate future in MotoGP committed to Ducati before the start of the 2024 season in Qatar, Ducati bosses have said.
The Italian comes into the 2024 MotoGP season as the defending double World Champion after sweeping to title glory in 2022 and 2023 with the factory Ducati Lenovo team.
This latest contract negotiation is Bagnaia’s first since his status in the sport grew from race winner to title contender and ultimately MotoGP title winner having penned his current deal to remain with the factory squad for 2023 and 2024 at the start of the 2022 season.
For 2025 and beyond, Ducati bosses are looking to maintain a similar tactic of getting Bagnaia’s signature inked before the opening round of 2024 at Qatar, even if Gigi Dall’Igna accepts the negotiations are now somewhat different since it last came around a table to discuss the rider’s future.
“We are working on it, it is not easy because trying to sign a contract with a two-time World Champion is important, so we are working on that,” said Dall’Igna.
“Our goal is to renew with Pecco before the first race,” added Davide Tardozzi. “We have been trying to discuss with his management for a couple of weeks, so we are confident we will finalise before Qatar.
Bagnaia enters into his sixth season in MotoGP this year. He made his debut in 2019 aboard the Pramac Racing Ducati, before switching to the factory machine in 2021.
Though there has been little doubt of Bagnaia extending his stay at Ducati, there remains some doubt over who will partner him on the factory machines in 2025 and beyond.
Current team-mate Enea Bastianini was controversially awarded the seat for 2023 over expected 'next-in-line' Jorge Martin. However, the Italian endured a tough year hampered by persistent injury woes, while Martin went on to take Bagnaia down to the wire in the fight for the title.
The Spaniard is considered a big candidate to replace Bastianini depending on the two riders' results during the first-half of 2024, though Martin has indicated he will quit Ducati in protest if he is not promoted to a factory seat for 2025.
