Marco Bezzecchi
Gresini could demand that Ducati now make them a factory-supported MotoGP team like VR46 from 2027 to reject the chance to become a satellite Honda outfit next year.
News emerged over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend that Honda are in talks with Gresini in an attempt to expand their satellite stable ahead of the 2027 MotoGP regulations. The deal would mark a reunion for the teams, who previously worked together from 1997 until 2014.
Honda currently only have one satellite outfit in LCR, who are due to remain a partner of the Japanese giant next year. But Honda are really interested in luring Gresini from Ducati to run six works-spec bikes at the start of the 850cc era, instead of their current four works bikes.
You’re Gresini: Which MotoGP bikes do you run with in 2027 – Ducati or Honda?
Gresini could demand that Ducati make them a factory-supported team to reject Honda
Gresini are currently one of the two satellite Ducati teams along with VR46, but do not have the same status as the squad that Valentino Rossi founded. So, in order to stay in the Ducati fold next year, MOW notes that Gresini could demand to become a factory-supported outfit.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Gresini from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Ducati are expected to strike a deal with Gresini for them to continue running Desmosedicis next term. But the chance to become a factory-supported satellite Ducati entry, rather than a fully independent outfit, could be one of Gresini’s conditions to entertain any further talks.
Honda are really pushing to have a second satellite team and have the cash to make Gresini their new partner, either by paying the Faenza outfit or making life easier for the team that the late Fausto Gresini founded. Being fully independent, Gresini do not boast a big budget.
Honda’s cash could prove very enticing for Gresini if Ducati do not accept their demands
It is said that Gresini might not be able to afford Ducati’s 2027 bike, which would thus price the team out of extending their satellite partnership. Additionally, Gresini are likely to have to sign two new riders for 2027 as Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer are both tipped to leave.
Marquez is expected to leave Gresini for KTM in 2027, having set his sights on racing for a factory team next year and also seen Ducati snub his services. Also, Ducati are now set to place Aldeguer at VR46 in 2027, after taking up their option to extend his works contract.
Ducati have upset Gresini’s owner Nadia Padovani by moving Aldeguer to VR46 for 2027, as the decision to place him at Rossi’s outfit next year came as a surprise. Ducati’s decision has even created tensions with Gresini, which is said to have added fuel to the links with Honda.
So, while Davide Tardozzi believes Gresini “want to stay with Ducati” and claims the Borgo Panigale natives are prepared to “do everything” to keep them, the Bologna Bullets might have to accept making Gresini a factory-supported team from 2027 to reject Honda’s cash.
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