BAGNAIA AND DI GIANNANTONIO RULE OUT PRIORITISING MARQUEZ’S TITLE BID

Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio have both indicated they will prioritise their own results rather than follow Ducati team orders to support Marc Marquez’s 2026 MotoGP title bid.

The question was put to the riders during Thursday media sessions ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Ducati’s position is distinct from Aprilia’s: Aprilia still has Marco Bezzecchi and the injured Jorge Martin in the title picture, while Marquez is Ducati’s sole remaining contender. Martin’s injury has cast doubt on his challenge, but he remains in contention.

Bagnaia, who will leave Ducati for Aprilia in 2027, said he had never expected help from a teammate when fighting for championships and had not considered asking for it. He added that riders should be free to race for themselves. If he found himself battling Marquez, he would try to pass him cleanly, but would not give up a chance to win. Bagnaia also made clear that the prospect of team orders would not prevent him from pursuing what could be one final victory for Ducati.

Di Giannantonio likewise said his attention was on his own campaign. The VR46 rider noted that both Ducati and Aprilia had done enough to be fighting for the title, making arguments about which circuits suit each manufacturer less relevant. He said he wanted to get the most from his season and pointed to his remaining opportunity to finish third or fourth overall. “I wear yellow, and that’s what matters to me,” he said, adding that he had to consider his own interests and those of his team.

His comments also come amid speculation about whether past tensions with Marquez might affect his willingness to help the Spaniard. Di Giannantonio did not frame his answer around their relationship, instead stressing his personal championship goals and the VR46 team’s results.

The debate follows the Australian Grand Prix, where Alex Marquez appeared reluctant to challenge his brother Marc during the Sprint. After Jorge Martin crashed and Alex moved into second, he stayed behind Marc rather than attempt a pass. Alex later said an overtake would have been “too risky,” a moment that added to discussion about whether riders might avoid interfering with a title contender.

For Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio, however, the message ahead of Sepang was that they intend to race for their own outcomes, even as Marquez pursues the championship.