Tricky contract negotiations may result in Ducati using a MotoGP test as a bargaining chip to retain Nicolo Bulega.

Nicolo Bulega is yet to put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati squad for the 2026 World Superbike Championship.

So far in the 2025 World Superbike Championship, Bulega has won seven races and featured on three further podiums in 12 races.

The 25-year-old also leads the World Superbike Championship by 34 points, over his main title rival Toprak Razgatlioglu.

But the Italian and the Italian manufacturer have reportedly been in contract negotiations for several months and have not been able to reach an agreement.

According to reports in January, Bulega was searching for a substantial pay rise to continue with Ducati. However, it appears that Ducati have been unable to match Bulega's desired wage, or the price that other manufacturers can offer.

But according to recent reports from GPOne, Ducati is potentially planning to use a MotoGP test as a bargaining chip to try and keep Bulega on board.

From what the Italian media outlet has uncovered, it appears that Bulega would be given the chance to test Ducati's new 850cc MotoGP machine next season. It has also been reported that he would be given a one-year contract, with the option of a second year for 2026.

Bulega's past in the MotoGP paddock:

Before moving to the World Supersport Championship with Ducati in 2022, Bulega competed in the Moto3 and Moto2 World Championships.

During his time in the Grand Prix paddock, Bulega rode for the Sky Racing Team VR46 in Moto3 and Moto2, and secured two podiums in the lightweight class with the team.

However, after cutting ties with Valentino Rossi and the VR46 Academy, the Italian rode for the Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 squad in 2020 and 2021.

After struggling to collect competitive results in the Moto2 class, the Italian switched over to the production-based Championship.

However, he has made it no secret that his desire is to compete in MotoGP, something he will hope to achieve if he impresses in a potential MotoGP test.