Why a Red Bull-Ducati partnership makes sense for 2027

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

14:30, 22 May

Andrew McLarney is a MotoGP reporter for GPBlog. With three years as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries, his early passion for combat sports evolved into a deep interest in UFC and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross as well as F1 and GT racing.

Red Bull has often been synonymous with the likes of Honda and KTM in MotoGP, but the energy drink titans could be set for a major switch in 2027 as they target a link-up with Ducati.

The Red Bull logo has become a staple of motorsport and extreme sports generally these days, even giving its name to one of Formula 1's most successful teams of the last decade.

Following the recent report that Monster Energy could be set to become Aprilia's mainline sponsor, another major shift could be set to take place over at Ducati for the 2027 season. With Pedro Acosta all but confirmed to be signing for the team next year, Red Bull seem to be keen for him to do so as one of their own athletes.

While some might be opposed to the idea of a total makeover for Ducati, particularly since Francesco Bagnaia has made the Monster Energy logo almost a mainstay of the Ducati livery, there is some history between the two brands which will likely make the MotoGP synergy more seamless than you might first think.

Already in MXGP and AMA Supercross bike competition, Red Bull are the title sponsors of the Ducati team and have been since late 2025. The move for Ducati's dirt bike sponsorship may have simply been the first move in a larger game as Red Bull now look to target the MotoGP team next.

If Marc Marquez continues to race in 2027 and beyond, his history as a Red Bull athlete would also be a great reason for the brand to partner up with Ducati. Previously, the nine-time world champion had to exit his Red Bull contract early in order to sign with Ducati's factory team in 2025 - a move which worked out brilliantly for both as the Spaniard won a dominant 2025 campaign.

While no official announcement has yet been made, the deal seems inevitable given the likelihood of an Acosta-Marquez pairing. In addition to the massive regulation overhauls set to enter in 2027, MotoGP could become almost unrecognisable next season.

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Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	100
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	80
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	63
4	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	51
5	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	49
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	43
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	26
8	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	17
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	16
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	10
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	5
12	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	4
13	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	4
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	4
15	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	1
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Why a Red Bull-Ducati partnership makes sense for 2027

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