Gresini Racing announced it will continue its Ducati partnership for the 2027 season, becoming the first official satellite outfit to lock in a fresh contract with the Italian marque.
New Agreements and Rider Portfolios
The three‑year extension keeps the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in Ducati’s factory‑supported orbit through 2029, a step that lands on the anniversary of the original 2022 deal between Rossi’s crew and the manufacturer.
With the deal in place, four additional 850cc DesmosediciGP prototypes will join Ducati’s grid. Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta will pilot the two factory‑spec models, while Gresini will field Joan Mir and Daniel Holgado on four additional bikes.
Fermin Aldeguer, a Ducati‑contracted rider, will remain with the VR46 garage and will compete on the “full factory” machine during the 2027 campaign, earning the benefits of any updates the factory team introduces mid‑season.
Rossi’s squad has not yet fixed its second seat, but Nicolo Bulega is the strong contender to fill the slot, as he leads the WorldSBK standings with the official Bologna outfit.
Regulation Shifts and Ducati’s 850cc Prototype
The 2027 revisions mandate a lighter, less aerodynamically busy DesmosediciGP that abolishes ride‑height devices and adopts Pirelli tyres. The opening race will see all six Ducati machines matched in configuration.
Despite identical base specs, Ducati will differentiate between “full factory” and satellite machines. Factory cars receive seasonal updates, whereas satellite bikes remain effectively unchanged from their initial setup.
Price tiers will reflect this distinction, with larger investment for the factory side. Aldeguer’s arrangement with VR46 guarantees him the upgrades that the pure factory team enjoys.
Factory‑Satellite Dynamics and Team Roles
Mir, though contracted to Gresini, will operate a “full factory” 850cc bike—an advantage that grants him all the developments introduced by Ducati at successive Grands Prix.
Holgado, also under Gresini, will ride a satellite GP27 model, which is devoid of major updates. The VR46 second slot remains a satellite machine, regardless of whether Bulega takes the seat.
Rossi’s side remains under the quote “factory‑supported” banner, allowing the squad to rally behind Ducati’s developmental strategy while keeping a satellite component for cost efficiency.
Impact on Grid Composition and MotoGP Balance
During 2022‑2024, Ducati fielded eight machines on the grid, adding Pramac to the roster. Pramac’s 2024 title win with Jorge Martin underscored the depth of the partnership.
Subsequent discord between Pramac owner Paolo Campinoti and Ducati’s management culminated in a split, after which Pramac switched allegiance to Yamaha, taking away two Ducati seats.
Aprilia’s new feeder team, Trackhouse, along with the departure of Pramac, prompted Ducati to attempt a return to an eight‑bike presence, attracting new customers to replace the vacated slots.
Instead, the championship’s promoter declared a cap of six identical machines on the grid, announced on 22 June, and simultaneously prohibited ride‑height devices while extending the distance between riders at the start.
These measures will reshape power plant allocation for 2027, forcing teams to optimise limited slots and maintain a keen edge in the evolving MotoGP landscape.
"