Fermin Aldeguer eyes factory Ducati future amid Acosta signing and Marquez uncertainty
Fermín Aldeguer is confident of his chances of joining the factory Ducati team, despite the Italian manufacturer’s high-profile decision to sign Pedro Acosta and extend Marc Marquez’s contract, creating new intrigue over MotoGP’s most coveted seats. Aldeguer, widely considered Ducati’s next big hope, will make his MotoGP debut with Gresini in 2025 under a works contract, with Ducati already exercising the option to keep him under their wing until at least 2028 and an expected move to VR46 in the works.
The change comes after Ducati chose Acosta, currently contracted to KTM, to join the factory outfit, bypassing Aldeguer for an immediate promotion to the main team. Instead, Ducati’s strategy involves Aldeguer racing for their factory-backed VR46 squad, establishing him as a long-term asset while Acosta takes center stage. Crucially, the signing of Acosta will see Ducati field an all-Spanish rider line-up, and for the first time, there will be no Italian in their flagship team.
Speaking to Ondo Regional, Aldeguer addressed Ducati’s decision, linking it directly to the doubts over Marc Marquez’s longevity at the top level. “I have a long time to go to the Ducati team. I understand why they chose Pedro. They are looking for the best riders,” said Aldeguer, acknowledging the fierce internal competition. “They already had me and Marc Marquez. He’s strong, but you never know how long he’ll last. On one side there’s Acosta, and Marc who one day might say enough is enough, and a Fermín Aldeguer who you could potentially put in his place.”
Aldeguer expressed Ducati’s support and confidence in his eventual move to the factory team, saying, “Having that factory bike, I feel their support and I feel much more comfortable… I think it will happen one day. My goal is to be in an official Ducati team one day, and Pedro has to be there for many years ahead of him. Why not (join Acosta at Ducati)?”
Ducati’s roster for the next two seasons will include both Márquez and Acosta, but stability is certain unless Márquez signs a new deal to extend his career until at least 2028. Márquez, now 33, openly admitted in June that he had considered retiring at the end of 2026, citing his recent injuries and concerns about MotoGP’s upcoming adoption of 850 cc rules. “I was scared” about signing a new contract, Márquez revealed, citing ongoing fitness issues that threatened his future.
There were also discussions between Márquez and Honda about a possible return in 2027, but both parties preferred to stay with Ducati, and quickly reached an agreement for the future.
For Aldeguer, his path to a factory Ducati seat may now require patience, with the possibility of waiting until 2029 until Márquez or Acosta opt out after their current contracts expire. However, Aldeguer is relieved to see his opportunity slip away despite Acosta’s rapid ascent, and remains determined in his pursuit of the most prestigious ride in MotoGP.
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