May is the traditional month for making strategic decisions for the future in MotoGP teams. This period – mid-April-mid-June – in the championship is a kind of transfer window, like in football: it opens, a very active movement begins, and those who do not have time to jump on the departing train remain out of work for a whole year.
Several interesting trends emerged in April in MotoGP, and they can dramatically change the face of the championship. First of all, we probably won’t see a new addition to Suzuki’s ranks in 2022. The plant’s management does not plan to subsidize the satellite in MotoGP. Most likely, the project will keep the 2 motorcycle format. And this opens up new perspectives for a range of Ducati and Aprilia transfers.
Team Suzuki Ecstar may keep the format in 2022 In 2022, subject to the conditions proposed by Dorna Sports, the number of Desmosedici prototypes should have been reduced to four (Factory Team and Pramac satellite). If Suzuki doesn’t give an expansion decision by the end of May, Ducati will have the option to keep 6 bikes on the grid (just as an inevitable circumstance). But Aprilia Racing, one way or another, will become a factory team and will become a full member of MSMA from January 1, 2022. And with all the wealth of choice, Noale has only one prospect: they need a satellite team to maintain contractual relations with the general promoter and IRTA. And this satellite will most likely NOT BE Gresini Racing, which has served the Aprilia factory project for the last 5 years.
Avintia Racing may leave the MotoGP paddock, making room for VR46 As Gresini Racing manager Carlo Merlini said in Portimao, after the death of Fausto Gresini, the project may reconsider its interests in MotoGP. Fausto insisted on remaining as the strongest independent team in the championship, and achieved his goal in December 2020. But with whom the team will go next, he never specified exactly. From many introductory notes, it was clear that the best option for Gresini Racing would be an Aprilia satellite. But Merlini says that now the best option for them is to move under the wing of Ducati – negotiations are already under way. Some insiders believe that through the mediation of Ducati, Gresini may field a “golden pair” of pilots in 2022 – Fabio Di Gianantonio and Enea Bastianini, who have already worked together in this team. At the same time, the Avintia Racing (Esponsorama) team will be finally torn apart: it will suffer the fate of the Aspar Racing Team, whose quota for places in MotoGP Avintia received in 2019. The same quota can be transferred to Dorna, for example, by Sky Racing Team VR46 … and this it will be easy!