FIRST LOOK: Ducati Unveils 2026 MotoGP Livery for Marquez and Bagnaia

Ducati Lenovo Team has officially revealed its MotoGP 2026 race livery, which will be worn by reigning world champion Marc Marquez and team-mate Francesco Bagnaia as the Italian manufacturer targets a fifth consecutive riders’ title in the final season of the 1000cc era.

The Desmosedici GP26 colours were unveiled during Ducati’s team launch in Madonna di Campiglio, in the Italian Dolomites. The new livery features a darker interpretation of Ducati’s traditional red, combined with distinctive white striping inspired by historic Ducati race bikes, marking the company’s 100th anniversary year.

Ducati enters 2026 as the dominant force of the modern MotoGP era, having secured the riders’ championship for four straight seasons through Bagnaia in 2022 and 2023, Jorge Martin in 2024, and Marquez in 2025. With two former champions sharing the factory garage, the visual identity of the GP26 underlines both continuity and ambition as Ducati prepares for a pivotal campaign.

“We took inspiration from colours from our past,” said Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali.
“The statistic that stands out for me is 88 consecutive podiums. The will to continue achieving these results is very motivating. And, as Gigi always says, every season starts from zero points.”

Marquez welcomed the new design but emphasised that performance remains the ultimate priority, especially in a season shaped by technical stability across much of the grid.

“A fast bike is always a nice bike – that’s the key point,” Marquez said.
“We will see in pre-season, but the design is very nice and we will try to perform at our best to celebrate Ducati’s centenary.”

Bagnaia, who endured an inconsistent 2025 campaign, was equally enthusiastic about the appearance of the GP26, describing it as the most visually impressive Ducati he has raced in the factory team.

“I told Claudio that this is the best-looking bike I’ve ridden since I joined the factory team,” Bagnaia said.
“The livery is fantastic. Red and white is a great combination.”

On track, however, Ducati’s focus extends beyond aesthetics. Bagnaia was unable to mount a sustained title challenge last season after struggling with corner entry and braking performance on the GP25. Although he still claimed four victories – Grand Prix wins at COTA and Motegi, plus Sprint victories at Motegi and Sepang – his form fluctuated sharply from Misano onwards, leaving him fifth in the final standings.

As a result, attention is firmly on whether Ducati has addressed the underlying issues during the winter, particularly with 2026 representing the final year of the current 1000cc engine regulations and Michelin tyres before the switch to 850cc machinery and Pirelli rubber in 2027.

To control costs ahead of the next rules reset, Ducati – along with Aprilia Racing and KTM – has been subject to an engine design freeze since the start of 2025. Honda will join that freeze from the 2026 Thai season opener, leaving Yamaha as the only manufacturer free to continue full engine development throughout the season.

Marquez and Bagnaia will first appear on track in their new Ducati colours during the Sepang MotoGP test from 3–5 February, which will also mark Marquez’s first MotoGP laps since Mandalika. A second pre-season test at Buriram will follow before the new campaign begins on the weekend of 27 February to 1 March.

Both riders are currently out of contract at the end of the 2026 season, adding an additional layer of intrigue to a year that already carries regulatory, competitive, and symbolic significance for Ducati. As the fourth MotoGP team to unveil its 2026 livery after Pramac, VR46, and Aprilia, Ducati has now set the visual benchmark ahead of the next factory launch by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP in Jakarta.

What do you think, Sportikers?
Does Ducati’s centenary livery signal another dominant season for Marquez and Bagnaia, or will 2026 prove to be a turning point? Share your views in the comments below