It's vacation time, time to relax before getting back on the track in 2026. With the Christmas holidays approaching, we therefore took the opportunity to catch up with our good friend Alberto Vergani, sharing a long pre-Christmas chat over a slice of panettone.
The manager from Milan, who is among the most esteemed in the paddock, analyzed the situation that awaits us in 2026, the year in which almost all the riders' contracts will expire. The prized piece is certainly Marc Márquez, nine-time world champion, who is being called upon to rediscuss his contract with Ducati.
"Personally I'm not convinced that he's going for crazy amounts of money, because Marc is not someone who drools after money and I've never seen him as happy as he is this year," he stated, "so for me he could stay with Ducati and I wouldn't be surprised. In that case it would be a disappointment for everyone, because it is the most desired bike."
Is Márquez in Ducati the best solution for everyone?
"I think it's a marriage of interests, because neither of them wants to leave. I don't see any other scenario; Ducati has a long waiting list should they say goodbye to Marc. They can do what they want with the riders on the grid, because everyone wants Ducati."
Bagnaia is one rider whose contract is expiring: what will he do?
"I don't know what Pecco's future will be: he is certainly no longer the King. The problem is that Marc has made everyone fall in love with him. In addition to winning, he enraptures you with his gaze and the way he looks at you, besides being very strong and a true champion. In my opinion he has never even gone 100 percent this season. I am of the idea that Pecco could begin again in VR46 with Aprilia, should Valentino say goodbye to Ducati."
One of the riders who aspires to a Ducati is Acosta.
"Acosta's situation depends a lot on the parabola of KTM. It's obvious that if he had the chance to get on a Ducati, he would do it on the fly. Then again, Pedro is very similar to Marc in talent and competitive malice, plus he makes very few mistakes."
Looking ahead to 2026, will Aprilia be the anti-Ducati?
"Aprilia is the most competitive bike after Ducati and part of the credit also goes to the development work done by Lorenzo Savadori. Obviously super hats off to Bezzecchi, considering he started as the second rider in the face-off with Martín. In the end, however, life is bizarre and Marco showed that he can win and give Marc a hard time. So watch out for Aprilia, because it is a very coveted bike."
Does Martín stay or say goodbye to Noale?
"The Jorge affair was a mess and I, on principle, wouldn't keep him. It wasn't a good move to look for Honda while Aprilia was working and performing, moreover with a contract in place. In this regard, both Rivola and Colaninno acted correctly, as well as Ezpeleta, who cleared the field of any doubt. I think this affair hurt the rider and I think it showed."
So how does this market shape up?
"In my opinion it will be an unpredictable and incandescent market. Quartararo earns a significant sum and I don't think Aprilia can guarantee that, should Martín leave. Acosta's situation I don't know in depth and a lot will depend on the economic evolution of KTM. Ducati, perhaps not having a very large budget, will invest in their champion, knowing, however, that they have the best bike. Finally there is Honda: they are the brightest economically, because they don't skimp, but the bike still has to improve, although this year we have seen important steps forward."
To conclude, can we say that Marc commands the market?
"Marc is the reigning champion and everyone wants him. I remember a year ago I recommended him to Rivola: I told him to bring him to Aprilia when the situation with Ducati had yet to be defined. As I said though, I don't think Marc wants to change again after what he has done."