Casey Stoner, the MotoGP champion, believes Ducati will play an important role in shaping the rivalry between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez next season.

Marquez, the most successful rider on the current grid, will join two-time champion Bagnaia in Ducati's factory team. This move has raised concerns about potential rivalry within the Ducati team, as they will need to balance two strong riders under one roof.

Bagnaia has spent almost his entire career with Ducati and is now their most successful rider. Nonetheless, Ducati made a significant move by signing Marquez.

According to Stoner, both Bagnaia and Marquez are likely to fight for dominance within Ducati next year, which could create tension inside the garage. This could also force Ducati to decide which rider they favor more.

"It will all depend on how Ducati handles things. I think Pecco is mentally resilient enough to face this situation, but it will come down to who Ducati wants to back," Stoner told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Both may attempt to sway things within the team to go in their favor. We'll see how Ducati manages this situation and whom they choose. They will need to stay balanced, or it could become an issue."

Although Bagnaia is close to losing this year's title to Jorge Martin, his speed has been remarkable. His victory in Malaysia marked his tenth win of the season, placing him into an elite group in the history books.

Stoner, who also secured Ducati’s first title in 2007, commented on Bagnaia’s consistency, saying, "We've all seen Pecco’s progression over the past seasons. His growth is steady, and Ducati’s results keep improving, but Pecco is the one who clinches the most victories. These wins are solid, not just sprint races. What he has accomplished this year is remarkable."

Ducati’s decision to sign Marquez for the factory team came after his outstanding performance, while Martin chose to turn to Aprilia. This decision sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing Ducati for not signing Martin, while others recognize Marquez’s signing as a strong comeback.

When Stoner was asked about the rider moves, he said, "I can understand the decision in some respects, but that doesn't make it right. When riders put in the effort and stand out among the 22 riders on the grid, and then someone else is brought in to replace them, I don't think it’s fair. Marc could have had a factory bike elsewhere. I don’t think it’s right that they chose him over Martin."