BORGO PANIGALE — Ducati has signed Pedro Acosta for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. Acosta will join the Ducati Lenovo Team as Marc Marquez's teammate. The signing follows the announced departure of Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season.

Marquez extended his contract with Ducati until 2028, a day before Acosta's signing on June 24, 2026. Bagnaia's final race for the team is scheduled to be the Valencia GP. On June 24, 2026, Bagnaia posted a message on Instagram regarding his departure, stating, "I feel the need to start afresh with a new challenge, but I'll never forget what we've been."

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, identified Acosta as "undoubtedly one of the most talented young riders in the MotoGP paddock." Domenicali added, "At just 22 years old, he is the kind of rider with whom a new and exciting chapter can be written." He also stated, "We have always liked him and have been following him for some time, both for what he has achieved on track and for his direct and easy-going personality, which we are sure will make Ducatisti fall in love with him once he is dressed in red." Luigi Dall'Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, said, "Pedro represents the ideal candidate for the future of the Ducati Lenovo Team," noting, "After Marc's confirmation, we wanted to add a young and fast rider to the Desmosedici GP development project."

Acosta, a Spanish rider, will ride the Desmosedici GP bike. He previously won the Moto3 and Moto2 world titles and the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2020. Acosta made his MotoGP debut with the GasGas Tech3 team in 2024, achieving five podiums and earning the Rookie of the Year title. He was promoted to KTM's works team in 2025, finishing fourth in the overall standings with five top-three finishes. Acosta achieved three top-three finishes in the 2026 season prior to June 24.

Bagnaia, an Italian rider, won the MotoGP World Title with Ducati in 2022 and 2023. He joined Ducati as a rookie in 2019. Throughout his tenure, Bagnaia secured 31 victories, 62 podiums, and 28 pole positions. In 2024, he won 11 races. Currently, Bagnaia is seventh in the 2026 championship standings with 127 points after nine races, 53 points behind leader Marco Bezzecchi.

Marquez, 33, joined Ducati in 2024. He secured his 100th career victory across all classes at the Hungarian Grand Prix in June 2026 and won the Czech Grand Prix later that month. Marquez underwent shoulder and foot surgery prior to June 2026. Acosta, who turned 22 in May 2026, has a contract that includes victory and title bonuses.

The contract negotiations concluded on June 19, 2026, following discussions between manufacturers and the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group. The integration of Acosta with Marquez sets the roster for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.