Gresini Racing looks set to remain a Ducati customer in MotoGP for the foreseeable future as Pramac continue talks with adopting Yamaha’s in 2024, according to reports.
Yamaha currently has two bikes on the grid in its sole factory team and it is clear that the Japanese marque looks to expand its presence on the grid to improve development.
Meanwhile, Ducati supplies three satellite entrants in VR46, Gresini and Pramac, with the latter receiving factory machinery.
Despite being contracted with Ducati for 2025, Gresini boss Nadia Padovani had to rule out her team being tempted by factory spec Yamahas amid rumours of an exit clause.
“No, none,” was Padovani’s response when asked by Spanish publication Marca about the possibility of a switch to the Japanese manufacturer.
Pramac meanwhile, will “wait until the last second of the last day of July,” according to Paolo Campinoti (via Sky Italia).
Yamaha has allegedly “put an offer on the table” after “intense negotiations” with Pramac over the last few days.
Should Pramac switch to Yamaha, it would represent a massive change in expectations for the outfit.
Pramac currently enjoys the use of two factory-spec GP24 Desmoseidicis, the class of the 2024 MotoGP field.
Yamaha, meanwhile, like fellow Japanese marque Honda, is struggling to keep pace with the European manufacturers.
If Pramac can be tempted away from Ducati, they would essentially be signing up for the Yamaha rebuild and sacrificing any success in the immediate future.
However, they would be well placed to benefit in 2027, should Yamaha adapt to the new technical regulations with aplomb.
Another implication of a Pramac switch to Yamaha is within the rider market.
At the present moment, Moto2 hotshot Fermin Aldeguer is promised a Pramac Ducati ride, but if the team were to switch to Yamaha, the young sensation would need to be placed within another Ducati customer entrant.
It would also limit options for the remaining out-of-contract riders, as two fewer Ducatis on the grid means less chance of riding a race-winning capable bike in 2025.
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