Marco Bezzecchi
Operating two satellite teams has not been easy for Ducati, especially with both VR46 and Gresini constantly being at odds.
VR46 recently landed Fermin Aldeguer for 2027, taking him away from Gresini in a move that is sure to have caused tension within the Italian outfit.
Nadia Padovani was unhappy with Aldeguer’s move, feeling as though VR46 were being prioritised over their team.
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Gresini even contemplated a move to Honda, among other teams, in the aftermath of this decision, showing that a rift had been caused. But the move from Gresini didn’t come to pass.
Within Ducati, there may have been a sense of relief to see Gresini leave their umbrella, given the tense dynamic between them and VR46.
READ MORE: VR46 ‘won’t accept’ Ducati covering Gresini wages under 2027 satellite deal
Ducati insider claims VR46 and Gresini’s ‘exhausting’ rivalry needs constant mediation
When speaking with Motorsport, an anonymous Ducati executive admitted Gresini and VR46 do not see eye to eye, with their relationship consistently requiring mediation.
He likened the relationship between Ducati’s two satellite teams to two children that constantly bicker amongst themselves, admitting that it is an exhausting ordeal to try and broker peace between the two.
“We don’t get along at all. That’s exactly it – it’s like constantly having to mediate between two children who are always fighting. It’s exhausting.”
From the sound of it, higher-ups within Ducati would not have lost too much sleep over Gresini moving to another senior team.
In fact, Ducati reportedly had alternatives for Gresini had the latter partnered with Honda or any other team next year. But for now, Gresini are staying under the Ducati learning tree.
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Gresini are now working internally to find replacements for Fermin Aldeguer and Alex Marquez. However, one name has already been ruled out.
Nadia Padovani reportedly shut down Nicolo Bulega as a potential replacement for Aldeguer, closing the door on the World Superbike Championship rider being forced on them by Ducati.
With Alex Marquez also leaving Gresini for KTM next year, finding two new riders to replace their outgoing team was of the utmost importance.
As things stand, there is no official word on who Gresini will bring in to replace Aldeguer, although there are reports that both Enea Bastianini and Daniel Holgado will ride with Gresini in 2027.
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