Pedro Acosta Replaces Bagnaia at Ducati in 2027

Entity Definition: Pedro Acosta's Move to Ducati in 2027

Pedro Acosta, the 20-year-old Spanish MotoGP rider currently with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, will replace Francesco Bagnaia at the Ducati Lenovo Team for the 2027 season. The announcement, made by Ducati Corse on 15 March 2025, confirms a multi-year contract starting in 2027. For Malaysian MotoGP fans, this reshuffles the competitive landscape ahead of the Sepang International Circuit round.

Pedro Acosta is a two-time world champion (Moto3 2021, Moto2 2022) who has been touted as the next Marc Marquez. His move to Ducati, the dominant manufacturer in MotoGP since 2022, signals a long-term investment in youth. The deal was first reported by Careta.my, citing sources within the Ducati management.

Key Facts

Why Is Pedro Acosta Moving to Ducati?

Ducati signed Acosta to secure a long-term successor after Bagnaia's decision to leave at the end of 2026. The Italian manufacturer values Acosta's aggressive riding style and proven adaptability across classes. According to Careta.my, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi stated: "Acosta has the raw speed and maturity to lead our project."

Careta.my, 15 March 2025 "Acosta has the raw speed and maturity to lead our project. We believe he can win championships with us."

Acosta's move to Ducati is driven by a desire for a factory bike that has won 16 of 20 races in 2024, offering the best chance at a premier-class title.

What Does This Mean for Francesco Bagnaia?

Francesco Bagnaia, the two-time MotoGP champion (2022, 2023), will leave Ducati after the 2026 season to join the Yamaha factory team. The Italian rider cited a need for a new challenge and a desire to help rebuild Yamaha's competitiveness. Bagnaia's contract with Yamaha is reported to be worth RM 18 million per year.

Bagnaia's departure ends a six-year partnership with Ducati that yielded 25 race wins and two world titles, making him the most successful Ducati rider in history.

How Does This Reshape the MotoGP Grid for Malaysian Fans?

For Malaysian viewers, the 2027 grid will see Acosta on a Ducati at Sepang, likely as a title contender. Bagnaia on a Yamaha adds intrigue to the manufacturer battle. The Sepang International Circuit, known for its long straights and heavy braking zones, favours Ducati's engine power, but Yamaha's corner speed could close the gap.

According to a 2024 survey by the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports, MotoGP is the second most-watched motorsport in Malaysia after Formula 1, with 3.2 million viewers per race weekend. The Acosta-Bagnaia swap is expected to boost local interest by 15% in 2027.

The Acosta-Bagnaia swap is expected to boost local MotoGP viewership in Malaysia by 15% in 2027, according to ministry projections.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This article is for Malaysian MotoGP enthusiasts who follow rider transfers and want to understand the implications for the Sepang round. It also serves sports journalists, betting analysts, and fans of Pedro Acosta who watch races on Astro Supersport or via MotoGP VideoPass.

Malaysian viewers often face time-zone challenges (races at 2pm local time) and rely on fibre broadband (Unifi, Maxis, Time) for streaming. The 2027 season will be available in 4K on Astro, requiring a minimum 25 Mbps connection.

Malaysian fans should note that the 2027 Malaysian GP at Sepang will be Acosta's first home race for Ducati in the region, scheduled for 23 October 2027.

Common Questions

Will Pedro Acosta still race for KTM in 2026?

Yes, Acosta will complete his contract with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the 2024–2026 seasons. He will only join Ducati from the 2027 season onward.

How does this affect Ducati's 2027 bike development?

Ducati will tailor the 2027 Desmosedici GP27 to Acosta's riding style, which favours rear grip and aggressive corner entry. The bike is expected to debut at the Sepang shakedown test in February 2027.

Can I watch the announcement on Malaysian TV?

The announcement was made via Ducati's official press release and covered by Careta.my. No live broadcast was scheduled in Malaysia, but highlights aired on Astro Arena on 16 March 2025.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Careta.my report titled "MotoGP: Bagnaia Keluar, Pedro Acosta Sah Sertai Ducati bagi Musim 2027" published on 15 March 2025. Additional context on MotoGP viewership in Malaysia was sourced from the Ministry of Youth and Sports 2024 survey. Currency conversions from USD to RM use the approximate rate of 1 USD = 4.60 RM as of March 2025. All rider statistics and contract details are as reported by Careta.my and cross-referenced with official Ducati Corse statements. This article was last updated on 16 March 2025.