Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP rider, has revealed that he started seriously thinking about his departure from Ducati during last year’s Japanese Grand Prix. This confirmation comes just before his signing with Aprilia on a four-year contract, where he will share a team with Marco Bezzecchi.
The upcoming Valencia GP, scheduled for November, will mark his last race with Ducati. Bagnaia thus closes a chapter in which he has managed to make the Borgo Panigale brand one of the big names in motorcycling, becoming its most successful rider.
Although the agreement with Aprilia has been recently formalized, the rider had considered his life after Ducati since September of last year. “Last season was not easy for me. At Japan, I decided that it might be time to consider other options,” Bagnaia commented.
Motegi was a turning point in the 2025 season, with Bagnaia achieving pole position and winning two races. However, these victories were overshadowed by Marc Márquez’s seventh title. When explaining the change in mindset experienced, Bagnaia preferred not to go into details.
In an emotional letter to Ducati published on social media, Bagnaia expressed his gratitude for eight years alongside the team. He emphasized the importance of saying goodbye in a more meaningful way than with a simple message. “My journey with them has been filled with extraordinary moments,” he declared.
During the winter, Bagnaia had been considered a potential signing for Yamaha. Ultimately, he decided to join Aprilia, a choice that has generated expectations about his future in the premier class of motorcycling.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
