Francesco Bagnaia has signed a four-year contract with Aprilia Racing starting from the 2027 MotoGP season, leaving Ducati after the end of the 2026 campaign [1, 2, 3]. Ducati confirmed Bagnaia's departure on June 24 and announced that Pedro Acosta, the 22-year-old former Moto2 and Moto3 champion, will replace him next season [1, 2, 3]. Bagnaia will join Aprilia's factory team alongside fellow Italian Marco Bezzecchi, forming an all-Italian rider lineup [1, 2, 3].
Bagnaia joined Ducati as a rookie in 2019 and quickly became its most successful rider, recording 31 victories, 62 podium finishes, and 28 pole positions [1, 2, 3]. He won back-to-back MotoGP World Championships in 2022 and 2023, the first Ducati rider to claim the title in 15 years [1, 2, 3]. In 2024, Bagnaia narrowly missed a third consecutive title, finishing second by 10 points to Jorge Martin [3]. His performance declined in 2025, ending the season fifth in the standings, 257 points behind teammate Marc Marquez, who secured his seventh world title [1, 2, 3]. As of mid-2026, Bagnaia sits seventh in the riders’ championship after winning the sprint race at the Czech MotoGP [3].
Ducati confirmed that Marc Marquez extended his contract for two more seasons and will race alongside Pedro Acosta next year [3]. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola praised Bagnaia’s signing as evidence of Italian sport’s strength. He said, "Bagnaia’s arrival is a confirmation of the value of Italian sport, which in recent months has distinguished itself on the world stage thanks to the achievements of Kimi Antonelli in Formula 1, Jannik Sinner in tennis, and Federica Brignone at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Having a multiple world champion is a responsibility we can’t wait to take on" [1].
Bagnaia will make his final appearance for Ducati at the Valencia Grand Prix at the end of November 2026 before moving to Aprilia for the 2027 season [1, 2, 3].
