Jorge Martín’s move to Aprilia leaves several questions regarding Ducati’s teams for the 2025 MotoGP season. While Francesco Bagnaia is confirmed for the factory team, everything else is officially up in the air. Here we analyze potential scenarios.
Ducati Lenovo Team
- Francesco Bagnaia: Renewed until 2026.
- Marc Márquez?
- According to global media rumors, Ducati has already chosen Marc Márquez for the official team. Losing Martín, a pilot with more future potential, only seems logical if they want to grab someone with Márquez’s fame and track record. While there is no confirmation yet, all signs point in that direction. Márquez, notably, wants a current bike in 2025 and has rejected Pramac, making Ducati seem like the only option under Borgo Panigale’s umbrella.
- Enea Bastianini?
- Currently Bagnaia’s teammate, but his future is uncertain despite having a solid season. If Ducati let Martín go – the 2023 vice-champion and current championship leader – it seems unlikely they would choose Bastianini, who is in fourth place and has not won a race in 2024.
🇮🇹 ItalianGP: 🥈🏆
— Enea Bastianini (@Bestia23) June 2, 2024
I dedicate this podium to my beloved dog who passed away last week. 🐾❤️ pic.twitter.com/AjhtH3wH23
Prima Pramac Racing
Preliminary note: It is not yet official that Prima Pramac Racing will continue as Ducati’s satellite team. Its manager, Gino Borsoi, has guaranteed continuity under the same conditions, but Ducati has clarified that there is no formally signed contract yet. The following scenario assumes everything remains the same.
- Fermín Aldeguer?
- The young Moto2 star signed with Ducati last March to move up to MotoGP in 2025 with a current bike in a satellite team. Given that Pramac has been the only satellite team with such conditions, the logical step for Aldeguer is Paolo Campinoti’s structure.
- Franco Morbidelli?
- The Italian joined Pramac this year. An injury at the end of January prevented him from participating in the preseason, but after all the lost preparation time, he is starting to show performance and results. His continuity seems logical as the potential is there. However, his contract expires at the end of 2024 and has not yet been renewed.
- Enea Bastianini?
- If he leaves the factory team, Bastianini has few options for an equivalent team that offers the same competitive conditions. Moving to Pramac would be a step back from his factory rider status but would ensure conditions to continue fighting at the top and possibly return to Ducati in the future.
- Fabio Di Giannantonio or Marco Bezzecchi?
- The two Pertamina Enduro VR46 riders could come into Pramac’s calculations. Neither has a contract for 2025, and both have shown good potential: Di Giannantonio has only missed finishing in the top seven in one race this year; Bezzecchi has had difficulties but has shown he can fight at the top, as evidenced by his third-place finish in last year’s World Championship. A move from VR46 to Pramac would be an obvious step for either rider and the team if it continues with Ducati.
Gresini Racing
Finde positivo! 💪🏼Se nos ha escapado el podio pero las sensaciones han sido muy buenas!! Seguimos!!✊🏼🔥
— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) June 2, 2024
Positive weekend! We missed the podium but the feelings are very good!! #ItalianGP #MM93 pic.twitter.com/logbET5noA
- Marc Márquez?
- If Marc Márquez excluded Pramac, he did not do the same with Gresini. Could he stay where he is if he doesn’t move up to Ducati? This seems unlikely since he wants a current bike in 2025. Staying with Gresini would be feasible only if one of two situations occurs: either Pramac ceases to be Ducati’s satellite team, and at least one of the current bikes goes to Gresini, or Ducati expands to five current bikes.
- Álex Márquez?
- Álex Márquez is also in the final year of his contract with Gresini. So far, his performance has been decent: he is not at his brother Marc’s level, but his results are comparable to riders like Di Giannantonio or Bezzecchi, being mid-pack. Continuation would not be surprising.
- Fermín Aldeguer?
- Considering the unlikely scenario that Prima Pramac ceases to be Ducati’s satellite team, Gresini could be a possible placement for the Spanish rider who, as mentioned earlier, is guaranteed a move up to MotoGP on a current Desmosedici GP in 2025 with a satellite team.
- Fabio Di Giannantonio or Marco Bezzecchi?
- It seems there will be at least one spot to fill given the very likely move of Marc Márquez to Ducati. Would Di Giannantonio be interested in returning to Gresini after being dropped at the end of 2023 and almost missing out on a MotoGP spot? And would Bezzecchi be willing to leave the «family» that is VR46 to join a team offering similar conditions? Or would it be an actual promotion if Pramac does not remain with Ducati and Gresini gains access to one or two current bikes in 2025?
- Enea Bastianini?
- If Bastianini leaves Ducati and Pramac switches to Yamaha, could Bastianini return to Gresini with a more recent Desmosedici GP in 2025? Again, this would be a demotion, but there are few factory teams capable of offering competitive bikes immediately to the Italian, making it a demotion that still allows him to fight for top positions.
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
Grazie mille Mugello! 🏁🇮🇹
— Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team (@VR46RacingTeam) June 2, 2024
Points in the bag, onto the next one! 😎@FabioDiggia49 @Marco12_B #ItalianGP #PertaminaEnduroVR46RacingTeam #MotoGP #MB72 #Diggia49 #VR46 pic.twitter.com/bJnKZfzya3
Preliminary note: Like Pramac, VR46 has not yet formally secured its renewal with Ducati for 2025, although it prioritizes maintaining the current setup.
- Fabio Di Giannantonio?
- The Italian joined this year as a last-minute option. However, he has adapted well, with his worst result being a top ten, consistently beating teammate Marco Bezzecchi by 29 points so far. Continuation seems logical unless more enticing opportunities arise.
- Marco Bezzecchi?
- After finishing third in last year’s championship, Bezzecchi has the credentials to continue with VR46 or move to a project offering better conditions. Despite a difficult start adapting to the Desmosedici GP23, he showed potential with a third-place finish at the Spanish GP.
- Fermín Aldeguer?
- Again, Aldeguer comes into consideration if Pramac does not continue with Ducati. In that case, it is unclear where the two current Desmosedici GPs would go – both to Gresini, both to VR46, or one to each. Aldeguer was already considered by VR46 for 2024 before Di Giannantonio made a strong case with his victory at last year’s Qatar GP.
- Enea Bastianini?
- If Pramac ceases to be Ducati’s satellite team and there is an equitable redistribution of current Ducatis among the remaining satellite teams, Bastianini moving to VR46 cannot be ruled out—especially if his departure from the factory team is confirmed.
Other riders
🚦LIGHTS OUT in #MotoGP🚦@PeccoBagnaia on rocket mode! 🚀#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/eQQ5IeWeZG
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 2, 2024
So far, we have only mentioned riders currently in Ducati teams and Aldeguer, who has a contract signed for 2025. However, the rider market is dynamic, and other possibilities may open up for Ducati teams. Here are some potential candidates:
- Álex Rins?
- The Spanish rider signed a one-year deal with Yamaha (2024). While Yamaha shows signs of progress, Rins could potentially join a more appealing project with a Ducati team. However, it seems more logical for him to give Yamaha a second-year chance, assuming the manufacturer wants to retain him as well.
- Jack Miller?
- Without opportunities in KTM’s factory team, Miller has openly stated he’s looking for a job in 2025. He might continue with Red Bull GasGas Tech3, but other options are also possible. Would the Australian be open to returning to a Ducati satellite team—perhaps even Pramac, a team he knows well?
- Joan Mir?
- With his contract ending with Repsol Honda, Mir’s frustration is clear. The RC213V is still far from being a competitive bike. There are even rumors that Mir is considering retirement. However, a chance with a Ducati, even in a satellite team, might be attractive to the Spaniard.
- Maverick Viñales?
- Viñales is currently in one of the best phases of his career with Aprilia, making it unlikely that he would accept a move to a satellite team. Hence, it seems logical that we would only see Viñales on a Ducati if it is with the official team.
- Miguel Oliveira?
- Before joining Aprilia’s satellite team for 2023, Oliveira was linked to Gresini. Although the move did not materialize, the door was not entirely closed for the future. Could Oliveira have a chance with a Ducati if he does not renew with Trackhouse Racing? Additionally, MotoSprint reported last week that there might be discussions with Pramac. These options could be enticing for Oliveira, but he will need to convince the teams of his value, as his results and performances in 2024 have been below expectations, even his own.