The 2025 MotoGP silly season is in full swing with a Factory Ducati seat up for grabs.
With racing red-hot on track, the rumour mill was in full swing off it. Much centres around the battle for the second factory Ducati seat for 2025. Enea Bastianini is being considered, as are Pramac’s Jorge Martin and Gresini’s Marc Marquez. Factory bosses will decide before July. Unsurprisingly, both Martin and Marquez are keen for the berth, with the former likely to leave Ducati if an offer doesn’t arrive. Aprilia or Honda are alternative options.
Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez are front-runners for the factory Ducati seat in 2025
Then there is the possibility of a Yamaha satellite team. The Iwata factory is desperate to add two more M1s to the grid as it bids to quicken its turnaround. While VR46 has made it clear it’s happy to retain its links to Bologna, both Pramac and Gresini are rumoured to be in talks with Yamaha. Pramac was edgy at Jerez, shutting down any questions regarding its choice of manufacturer for next year.
“It is really important,” noted Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo of the need to have two more M1s on the grid. “We, Yamaha, and also myself are working a lot to have a satellite team. It’s really important.”
“Even if you check how many laps we can do in a pre-season, the number we did compared to Ducati is completely different and you can test many things and have the comments of many more riders.”
Fabio Quartararo says it’s important to have two more M1s on the grid
Joe Roberts is rightly drawing attention for his current feats in Moto2. With American company Liberty Media set to acquire MotoGP, series organiser Dorna is desperate to grow the sport in the US. Having a home rider compete for the American Trackhouse Aprilia team would do just that.
“The possibility could be there if the results are,” Roberts told AMCN. “The one thing that stays through is what you do on the track. I do think it’s a very exciting time for America. I’m excited to see where this all goes and if I could fit in somewhere that’d be pretty sweet.”
Joe Roberts is rumoured for a ride with the American Trackhouse Aprilia team
The future of former MotoGP champion Joan Mir is also up in the air. The Majorcan is weighing up whether to stay at Repsol Honda for a third season amid HRC’s continued struggles, or push for a satellite seat elsewhere. AMCN also understands that WorldSBK or stepping away from the sport are not completely off the table.
WORDS: NEIL MORRISON PHOTOGRAPHY: GOLD&GOOSE