Francesco Bagnaia close to 2025 contract? “For sure I love Ducati…”

Like most of the MotoGP field, Bagnaia’s current deal expires at the end of this year.

But it would be a major shock if the Italian, seeking to join only Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez in winning three successive ‘MotoGP’ titles, is on anything other than a factory Desmosedici in 2025.

“We are discussing it,” Bagnaia said, when asked if he would like to have the his Ducati future decided before the new racing season begins on March 8-10.

“For sure I love Ducati. Ducati, I think loves me. And our relationship is growing, always.

“So I think it is a matter of a short time…”

Bagnaia began his MotoGP career as a Pramac Ducati rider in 2019, then joined the factory team in 2021.

A four-time race winner and runner-up to Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo in his debut factory season, Bagnaia handed Ducati its first title since Casey Stoner in 2007 the following year. He then fended off Pramac’s Jorge Martin to repeat the feat in 2023.

How can Bagnaia improve in 2024?

“I would like to improve a bit in ‘explosivity’. Like I was at the start of [last] season,” Bagnaia said, referring to his one-lap speed.

“I lost it a bit after Barcelona [accident, then regained some of it towards the end of the season]. But I think I still need a step more. Other riders are more competitive than me in that area.

“And less mistakes. It’s true that I only crashed seven times last season, but five of those were in races. So maybe it’s better to improve this!”

Where can the Desmosedici improve for 2024?

“Last year we were very competitive because the bike had very good grip, but my feeling on the braking was a bit less. So for this year maybe we can do a step in terms of [corner] entrance,” he said.