Ducati signs Pedro Acosta alongside Marc Marquez in MotoGP

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Ducati has officially signed Pedro Acosta for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, forming a dream lineup with Marc Marquez in its works team.

The news was finally made public on Wednesday, two hours after Francesco Bagnaia’s departure was announced, while Marquez’ new deal was made official on Tuesday.

The drawn-out Concorde negotiations between manufacturers and MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, which only reached a conclusion last Friday, meant many rider announcements were on hold until then.

As constructors now reveal their signings for 2027, Acosta’s arrival at Ducati certainly is the most spectacular and influential move on the grid, as MotoGP’s new 850cc era gets under way next season.

“Pedro is undoubtedly one of the most talented young riders in the MotoGP paddock,” said Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali. “At just 22 years old, he is the kind of rider with whom a new and exciting chapter can be written. 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.

“We believe that, alongside Marc, he represents the ideal complement for a team that - building on its history and on the results achieved in recent years - wants to continue playing a leading role in the future and remain a source of admiration, respect and support for Ducati fans all around the world.”

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Photo by: Stephen Blackberry/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ducati Corse general manager Luigi Dall'Igna added: “Pedro represents the ideal candidate for the future of the Ducati Lenovo Team. After Marc's confirmation, we wanted to add a young and fast rider to the Desmosedici GP development project. Pedro, in addition to being an undisputed talent, has demonstrated extraordinary precocity. In just under six years in the Championship, he has won two titles in the lower classes and achieved truly convincing performances in MotoGP.

“His arrival in the Team will be a stimulus for everyone; he will help us grow, and we will support him on the path to full maturity as a rider. I am confident that, with the encouragement of our Team and given the right amount of time, his contribution, for sure, will ensure a further step forward in terms of performance and goals.”

Acosta has signed a two-year contract, and his salary is by no means the highest on the grid, though he will enjoy substantial victory and title bonuses, as is traditional at Ducati.

The ‘Shark’, who turned 22 last month, has one of the greatest pure talents on the grid, having won the Moto3 title as a rookie and the Moto2 crown as a sophomore.

Acosta was trained in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, which he won in 2020, and was rescued by KTM when he had no ride, a few weeks before the start of the season, to successfully race in Moto3.

This cemented his alliance with the Austrian brand, as the Spaniard always was grateful. He made his MotoGP debut with the satellite GasGas Tech3 team in 2024, taking five podiums. In 2025 he was promoted to KTM’s works team, securing another five top-three finishes, and a further three this year, although victory is still eluding him.