The departure of Pramac Racing from Ducati has caused quite a stir in the MotoGP community. The team’s decision to switch to Yamaha after a 20-year partnership with Ducati was significantly influenced by Ducati’s choice to bring Marc Marquez on board for the 2025 season. This move sidelined Pramac’s Jorge Martin and current Ducati rider Enea Bastianini, a decision that has been the talk of recent MotoGP rounds.
At the Dutch MotoGP, Pramac officially announced their split from Ducati and their new alliance with Yamaha, set to commence next season. Paolo Campinoti, the Pramac team principal, expressed their excitement about the new venture, highlighting their optimism about Yamaha’s potential. Despite leaving behind a championship-winning Ducati bike, Campinoti believes that Yamaha’s ambitious project and substantial investments will restore the brand to its former glory.
Campinoti subtly criticized Ducati, implying that their commitment to nurturing young talent has waned. He pointed out that Yamaha’s focus on developing young riders aligns with Pramac’s vision, unlike Ducati’s current direction. The decision to choose Marquez, who will be one of the older riders on the grid next year at 32, over younger talents like Martin and Bastianini, signaled a shift in Ducati’s strategy.
The consequences of Ducati’s decision were significant. Martin, who currently leads the MotoGP championship and is ahead of Pecco Bagnaia after the sprint race at Assen, is set to join Aprilia, while Bastianini will move to Tech3 KTM. This left Pramac with fewer competitive options for the upcoming season, contributing to their decision to partner with Yamaha.
Pramac’s move to Yamaha marks a new chapter for the team. Although Ducati’s recent success was partly due to their investment in young riders, this philosophy seems to have shifted with the inclusion of Marquez. Whether this strategic change will be beneficial for Ducati remains to be seen, as Pramac sets out on a new path with Yamaha.
