💥Yamaha executives have CONFIRMED Bagnaia’s contract is officially complete with the HIGHEST salary. Even Valentino Rossi has spoken out in agreement about this !!
In a seismic shift within the MotoGP world, Yamaha has officially confirmed the signing of Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia to a historic contract, marking a new chapter for both the Italian rider and the Japanese manufacturer. The announcement, which has sent shockwaves through the paddock, positions Bagnaia as the highest-paid rider in MotoGP history, with a deal that reflects Yamaha’s bold ambition to reclaim its former glory. Adding further weight to this monumental move, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, Bagnaia’s mentor and compatriot, has publicly endorsed the decision, praising both the rider’s talent and Yamaha’s strategic vision.
The confirmation of Bagnaia’s move to Yamaha comes after weeks of intense speculation, fueled by reports from Italian media outlets like Sky Italia, which described Bagnaia as a “forbidden dream” for Yamaha. Despite his existing contract with Ducati, set to run until the end of 2026, Yamaha’s determination to secure the two-time MotoGP world champion has paid off. The deal, finalized in the wake of the 2025 British Grand Prix, represents a significant coup for Yamaha, who have struggled to match the pace of Ducati’s dominant Desmosedici in recent seasons. Bagnaia’s signing is seen as a cornerstone in Yamaha’s aggressive push to rebuild their M1 project and restore their status as a premier force in MotoGP.
Bagnaia’s transition to Yamaha marks a bold departure from his successful tenure at Ducati, where he clinched world championships in 2022 and 2023 and secured 11 grand prix victories in 2024 alone. However, the 2025 season has been challenging for the Italian, with only one win at the Americas GP and persistent struggles with the front-end feel of Ducati’s GP25 bike. These difficulties, compounded by the arrival of Marc Marquez as his teammate, have seen Bagnaia trail the championship leader by 51 points after six rounds. The tension within the Ducati garage, as highlighted by former rider Dani Pedrosa, underscored the challenges Bagnaia faced in adapting to a bike that didn’t suit his meticulous riding style. Yamaha’s offer, coupled with their willingness to invest heavily in both financial and technical resources, proved too enticing for Bagnaia to resist.
The financial details of the contract, while not officially disclosed, are rumored to be unprecedented. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Yamaha has offered Bagnaia a multi-year deal with a salary surpassing any previous MotoGP contract, reflecting the team’s confidence in his ability to lead their resurgence. This move aligns with Yamaha’s broader strategy to pair a proven champion like Bagnaia with emerging talent, potentially including riders like Fabio Quartararo, who has shown remarkable pace on the improving M1. Yamaha’s managing director, Paolo Pavesio, emphasized the team’s commitment to providing Bagnaia with a bike tailored to his strengths, addressing the front-end confidence issues that plagued him at Ducati.
Valentino Rossi’s endorsement of the deal carries significant weight, given his storied history with Yamaha and his role as Bagnaia’s mentor through the VR46 Riders Academy. Rossi, who won four MotoGP titles with Yamaha, expressed his approval during a recent interview, stating, “Pecco is the right rider to bring Yamaha back to the top. He’s a champion with incredible talent and work ethic. Yamaha’s investment in him shows they’re serious about winning again.” Rossi’s comments reflect his belief in Bagnaia’s ability to adapt to the M1 and lead Yamaha’s charge against Ducati’s dominance. The Italian legend also praised Yamaha’s technical progress, noting the promising updates to the M1’s engine tested at Jerez earlier this season.
For Yamaha, Bagnaia’s arrival signals a new era of ambition. The team has already shown signs of improvement in 2025, with Quartararo securing a podium at the Spanish Grand Prix and positive feedback on an updated engine at the Jerez test. Bagnaia’s technical expertise and proven track record will be crucial in refining the M1, particularly in addressing its historical weaknesses in top speed and acceleration. Yamaha’s decision to secure Bagnaia also sends a clear message to rivals like Ducati and Aprilia, who have dominated recent seasons: the Japanese manufacturer is back in the fight.
As the MotoGP paddock looks ahead to the remainder of the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Bagnaia’s preparations for his Yamaha debut in 2026. The Italian rider’s ability to adapt to a new machine, combined with Yamaha’s renewed technical and financial commitment, could reshape the championship landscape. For now, Bagnaia’s blockbuster move, backed by Rossi’s ringing endorsement, has ignited excitement among fans and set the stage for a thrilling new chapter in MotoGP history.
