Extend Contract With Ducati Until 2024, Bagnaia: I Will Repay The Team's Trust

Francesco Bagnaia (Instagram @ducaticorse)

JAKARTA - Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati have reached an agreement to extend the Italian rider's contract period by two more seasons until 2024.

"I am proud to be with Ducati for two more seasons. I have found a calm environment with the team, I also feel very in line with them," said Bagnaia, whose contract with Ducati expires at the end of this season, as quoted by Antara from the official MotoGP website, Monday.

"I will try to repay their trust with the results I achieve on track."

Bagnaia made his MotoGP debut in 2019 with the Ducati Desmosedici from Pramac Racing Team. With the team, he took his first podium finishes at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix.

✍🏻 We are delighted to announce that @peccobagnaia has signed with #Ducati for two more seasons in @MotoGP! The Italian rider will continue to ride aboard the Desmosedici GP of the #DucatiLenovoTeam in 2023 and 2024! #ForzaDucati@DucatiMotor pic.twitter.com/ZB7aqvE2J5

— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) February 21, 2022

The 25-year-old rider was then promoted to the Ducati Lenovo Team last year. He surpassed expectations after taking pole position and finishing third at the opening GP of the 2021 season in Qatar, and became one of the challengers for the world title with Monster Energy Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo.

During last season, “Pecco” Bagnaia took nine podiums, with four wins and six pole positions, which took him to the 2021 MotoGP runner-up position. He lost only one win to world champion, Fabio Quartararo.

"Since he arrived at Ducati in 2019, Pecco has shown the talent and ability to translate our Desmosedici very well, adapting to ride it in any conditions," said General Manager of Ducati Corse, Luigi Dall'Igna.

"He did it, especially last season when he progressed a lot and was competing for the world title. The way he handled the races in Aragon, Misano, Portimao and Valencia, scoring four fantastic wins is a testament to his maturity as a rider."

"With these qualities, we believe he has the potential to win titles with us."