Francesco Bagnaia: Is Cristian Gabarrini also moving to Aprilia?

– Cristian Gabarrini faces one of the most difficult decisions of his career. Pecco Bagnaia’s long-time race engineer must weigh his options: Should he follow his protégé to Aprilia or stay with Ducati and take on the new challenge with Pedro Acosta, who will replace Bagnaia in 2027?

Read more Helmut Marko: Why Vettel & Verstappen convinced him

Bagnaia’s move has not yet been officially confirmed. However, the Italian himself has not expressed any clear contradiction, thus setting the direction: He will leave the Ducati factory team and switch to Aprilia in 2027, the manufacturer currently challenging Ducati for MotoGP supremacy.

The groundwork for this was laid last summer. Bagnaia’s management had demanded clarity from Ducati about his future early on. After being strung along for months, indications grew that his place was long-term reserved for Pedro Acosta, specifically from 2027. Following this, the two-time world champion’s camp began talks with Yamaha.

Bagnaia: To Aprilia instead of Yamaha

The manufacturer from Iwata presented a concrete offer. Nevertheless, Bagnaia hesitated for two crucial reasons: Firstly, the lack of reliability of the 2026 M1 during the Sepang test caused doubts. Secondly, the fact that Yamaha had already signed Jorge Martin played a role.

Aprilia deliberately exploited this situation. The Italians played the emotional card and made it clear that Bagnaia would be at the center of the project there, unlike at Yamaha, where Martin has priority. Aprilia offered him exactly the bike that the Spaniard will leave at the end of the season.

Although the offer from Noale is financially lower, with a four-year contract that can be reviewed by both sides at the end of 2028, Aprilia primarily offers stability and planning security – factors that are crucial for Bagnaia.

Photo gallery: The MotoGP crew chiefs

With the possible change, Gabarrini automatically comes into focus. Since Bagnaia’s MotoGP debut in 2019, the engineer has worked by his side, and the two form one of the most well-rehearsed duos in the paddock. It is therefore quite plausible to assume that Gabarrini could follow his rider to Aprilia.

Such a scenario would by no means be unusual. Top riders, in particular, have repeatedly taken their closest technicians with them in the past. Valentino Rossi moved to Ducati with Jeremy Burgess in 2011, and Jorge Martin brought Daniele Romagnoli to Aprilia after winning the title with Pramac in 2024.

Other examples, however, also show the opposite direction: Marc Marquez could not take Santi Hernandez with him to Gresini, nor later to Ducati. And Jorge Lorenzo had to move to Ducati without Ramon Forcada after nine years together at Yamaha, where he worked with Gabarrini of all people.

Read more Vettel’s warning to Formula 1: “Don’t lose the heart of the sport”

Eight years together with Bagnaia

The 53-year-old Italian looks back on a long and successful career. After studying mechanical engineering in Ancona, he joined the LCR team in MotoGP as a data engineer at the end of 2002. Ducati signed him in 2005 as technical director and electronics specialist, before he was promoted to Casey Stoner’s crew chief in 2007. The result: Ducati’s first title in the premier class.

When Stoner moved to Honda in 2011, Gabarrini followed him and immediately won the next title in the same year. Subsequently, from 2013, he worked at HRC with Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, among others. In 2015, he became head of the engineering department.

In 2017, Gabarrini returned to Ducati and looked after Jorge Lorenzo for two seasons. After Lorenzo’s departure became apparent, he was transferred to Pramac with a clear mission: the development of a young talent named Bagnaia. The plan worked. Since moving up to the factory team in 2021, the duo has won the 2022 and 2023 world titles. Gabarrini was thus instrumental in all three of Ducati’s MotoGP titles.

Now the partnership faces a possible turning point. Because Ducati is apparently already planning the future with Acosta. The Spaniard, currently still with KTM, is said to be very interested in working with Gabarrini. “They know each other well, talk often, and there’s good chemistry,” sources say.

Photo gallery: Francesco Bagnaia’s career highlights

Internally, the trend also seems clear: “The idea is that he stays with Ducati, and everything points to that.” An additional appeal for Acosta: Many see him as the “new Stoner.” His interest in learning more about the Australian’s working methods is correspondingly great, and this is where Gabarrini comes in.

In addition to the sporting factors, a personal aspect could also play a role. Gabarrini’s son Matteo is considered a promising talent and has been part of the VR46 Riders Academy since 2024. The 17-year-old already won the Italian Championship (CIV) in the Junior MiniGP50 class in 2021.

He is being developed as a future Moto3 rider. His father’s continued presence alongside Bagnaia, himself part of the VR46 Academy, could strengthen the connection. Whether this point actually influences the decision, however, remains open.

One thing is certain: Gabarrini stands between loyalty and a new, appealing challenge. His decision is likely to be groundbreaking not only for himself but also for the future of two top projects in MotoGP – Ducati and Aprilia.

Read more Crewchief Dilemma: Does Gabarrini choose Bagnaia or Acosta?