Francesco Bagnaia will continue to race for the Ducati factory team up to the end of 2024 after signing a new two-year contract deal with the Italian outfit.
2021 MotoGP championship runner-up Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia has signed a two-year contract extension with Ducati works. The 25-year-old rider, who is on his second rostrum with the works team is poised to remain with the squad up to the end of 2024 MotoGP season.
With such a strong 2021 campaign, Bagnaia was widely expected to remain with Ducati. Word also had been going round about the new deal following remarks from the team’s senior management. However, the news was confirmed by Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi at the conclusion of preseason testing in Mandalika Bay circuit last week.
“Being a Ducati rider in MotoGP has always been my dream, and knowing that I can continue with the Ducati Lenovo Team for another two seasons makes me happy and proud,” Bagnaia said after securing the contract extension.
“I have found a serene environment in the factory team: I feel very much in tune with my team and know that we can do great things together.”
Bagnaia joined MotoGP in 2019, after winning the 2018 Moto2 championship. The Italian joined Ducati satellite team, Pramac before being promoted to Ducati’s factory team to replace Andrea Dovizioso for the 2021 MotoGP championship.
The 2021 season proved to be successful for Bagnaia after clinching his maiden premier class win at Aragon, where he also made an all-time track record during qualifying. Throughout the season he scored six podiums.
The Italian won four of the final six races becoming Fabio Quartararo’s main title contender. However, a costly crash cost him the title, though he finished second behind the Yamaha driver overall after winning four races.
Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s General Manager , said that Bagnaia’s maturity while battling it out for the 2021 MotoGP championship was one of the main reasons Ducati opted to retain him for another two years as it campaigns to win its first riders title since 2007.
“We are delighted to have Bagnaia with us for another two seasons,” Dall’Igna said.
“Since he arrived at Ducati in 2019, Pecco has shown great talent and the ability to interpret our Desmosedici GP very well, adapting to ride it in any condition.”
“He did it, especially in the last season, during which he had significant growth and got to play for the world title.”
“The way he managed the races at Aragón, Misano, Portimão and Valencia, scoring four fantastic victories, is proof of his maturity as a rider.”
“With these great qualities, we are sure that he has the potential to aim for the title with us”.
Bagnaia will once again pair up with Jack Miller for the upcoming season, though their partnership is in jeopardy, with the Australian being under pressure to keep his ride with the team after a disappointing 2021 season that saw him finish 71 points behind his teammate, placing fourth in the overall championship rankings.
