After nearly two decades of partnership with Ducati, Prima Pramac Racing has decided to part ways with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer at the end of this MotoGP season. Starting in 2025, the team will partner with Yamaha, aiming to be more than just a satellite team—promised a status akin to that of a second factory team.
Some believe that one of the key factors influencing this decision was Ducati’s choice to promote Marc Márquez to the factory Ducati team, instead of Jorge Martín. The #89, who has been fighting for the title with Pramac in both 2023 and 2024, was seen as deserving of a factory seat, and Pramac has functioned somewhat like a development team for Ducati.
Team manager Gino Borsoi explained to Motosan.es that this decision was a significant factor in moving to Yamaha, asserting that Martín deserved the factory seat:
– I think it influenced everything a bit. Ducati’s decision not to hire Jorge, who has had a great track record from the beginning, was a factor. Joining Pramac, which is somewhat like a «school» or «younger sister» team for Ducati, and honestly, in my view, he should have ended up in the official team, given that he has been showing for two years that he is one of the best riders in the field.
Borsoi also noted that this was not the only consideration: ‘There were many factors influencing the decision; it was a complex one. This team has been associated with Ducati for 20 years. The relationships with [Gigi] Dall’Igna and [Claudio] Domenicali are based on friendship, not just business. But there is part of the picture, like Márquez’s choice, that outsiders might not understand. And these decisions by Ducati made [Paolo] Campinoti think that perhaps it was time to step out of our comfort zone’.