2024 MotoGP Season: Grid Shake-Up on the Horizon
The anticipation is building as the first pre-season test of the 2024 MotoGP season gets underway. Speculation about the upcoming grid is already reaching fever pitch, not only regarding rider movements but also the machinery each team will have in their garages.
Currently, one manufacturer reigns supreme on the grid: Ducati. With eight of the 22 spots, MotoGP series promoter Dorna is eager for a change. Ducati’s rivals are also feeling the pressure, as they struggle with bike development and nurturing young talent with their limited line-ups.
KTM, in particular, is feeling the heat after the dramatics of 2023. The team faced a tough decision when it came to accommodating rising star Pedro Acosta. Ultimately, they had to let go of team stalwart Pol Epsargaro to make room for Acosta. This experience has prompted KTM to ensure they have more bikes on the field by 2025.
Yamaha, on the other hand, is focused on gathering extra data to address the issues plaguing their troubled M1 bike. Since the departure of the Petronas SRT team in 2022, Yamaha has been left with only their two works entries. Team boss Lin Jarvis is not shy about expressing his desire for a replacement.
While Yamaha and KTM are making their intentions clear, Ducati has no shortage of customers, Honda seems to have secured its LCR relationship, and Aprilia has recently partnered with American newcomer Trackhouse. However, any successful recruitment by KTM or Yamaha is bound to have wider implications.
So, which satellite teams are most likely to be enticed by a new manufacturer for 2025, and who is staying put? Let’s take a closer look.
Pramac Racing, currently the subject of numerous rumors, finds itself in the midst of a bidding war. Ducati, their current supplier, has been vocal about their close proximity to a deal. However, the team’s strong ties to Yamaha, stemming from owner Valentino Rossi’s history with the manufacturer and their previous connections in the lower classes to KTM, have attracted attention from other manufacturers. Yamaha may turn to Pramac if their other options fall through, but they will need to offer top-level support to rival Ducati’s longstanding partnership.
Marc Marquez’s new team remains a mystery in terms of its future. While it may seem unlikely for them to switch, considering the reliability of their current Ducati bike, Marquez’s decision could influence the fate of Gresini. If Marquez chooses to stay with the team, it is likely they will stick with Ducati unless KTM presents a compelling offer.
LCR Honda, led by team boss Lucio Cecchinello, has shown unwavering loyalty to Honda for nearly two decades. Despite KTM’s interest in joining forces with LCR, it is highly unlikely to happen. Increased support from Honda this year should solidify their partnership.
Trackhouse Racing, a new entry in MotoGP, has found their perfect match in Aprilia. They are eager to foster an even closer working relationship with the manufacturer in the coming years. It is highly unlikely that Trackhouse will consider different machinery anytime soon.
Tech3, under the leadership of Herve Poncharal, enjoys a strong alliance with KTM parent group Pierer Mobility Group. As they now operate under KTM’s Spanish brand GasGas, the long-standing Yamaha partner is content where they are. It would take something truly extraordinary to entice them away, making a move highly improbable.
As the 2024 MotoGP season approaches, the grid is poised for a potential shake-up. With manufacturers vying for satellite teams and contracts up in the air, the coming months promise to be filled with excitement both on and off the track.
Ducati’s 2024 MotoGP aero direction is causing mixed reactions among riders. Pecco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini are pleased with the changes, but Jorge Martin seems less enthusiastic. In fact, there are hints that Martin may be considering other options for the 2025 season.
During the first pre-season test, Ducati factory rider Enea Bastianini set a new lap record at Sepang. This impressive performance shows his potential for the upcoming MotoGP season.
Yamaha is eager to convince Fabio Quartararo to stay with the team in MotoGP. Interestingly, they are using Lewis Hamilton’s moves away from McLaren and Mercedes in Formula 1 as inspiration for their pitch. They believe they can learn from the rival efforts to sign Hamilton and apply those lessons to retain Quartararo.
Marc Marquez’s first day of riding the Ducati MotoGP bike in 2024 did not go as smoothly as his debut in Valencia last November. This suggests that Marquez may need more time to adjust to the new bike and make improvements.
Unfortunately, both Raul Fernandez and Franco Morbidelli will not be participating in the remaining days of the MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang. Fernandez, a Trackhouse Aprilia rider, joins Morbidelli on the sidelines. It is unclear when they will be able to return to the track.
Franco Morbidelli, a Pramac Ducati MotoGP rider, will not only miss the current pre-season test at Sepang but also the upcoming one in Qatar. This is a consequence of his crash during road bike testing at Portimao.
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