Japanese marque Yamaha has been linked with both Gresini Racing and Pramac racing during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at Jerez as it seeks to add a satellite squad to its roster in 2025.
Yamaha has been running a two-bike factory effort without the support of a satellite squad since the beginning of last season with the last time four M1s lined up on the MotoGP gird being the season-ending 2022 round at Valencia where RNF ran the secondary effort.
This puts the Japanese marque at a distinct disadvantage to its competitors, with Honda, Aprilia, KTM and Ducati all supporting at least one satellite squad.
Yamaha team boss Lin Jarvis told Italian outlet Corriero dello Sport that “From next year there will be two more Yamaha M1s on the grid, and a satellite team will take care of them.
“I can’t reveal the name of the team, but rest assured that the goal of having four Yamaha riders will be achieved.”
However, according to Spanish newspaper AS, it is becoming increasingly likely that Gresini Racing will swap Ducati machinery for Yamaha in 2025.
This comes after Speedweek reported that Pramac was in fact the team lining up to acquire two M1s next season with sources claiming the two parties were in “advanced talks.”
However, AS reports that Pramac Team Manager Gino Borsoi is dismissive of such reports, given that the squad enjoys the use of two 2024 factory spec Ducati Desmosedici GP24 machines.
“Explain to me what sense it would make for us to change manufacturers,” Borsoi said.
“We have official Ducati. The relationship established with Ducati goes beyond mere economic interests. It is a pure and constructive collaboration. That’s why I reject certain rumours.”
Given that the Ducati bike even in its 2023 GP23 spec is considered the class of the MotoGP field and has reinvigorated Marc Marquez’s career it begs the question as to why either Gresini or Pramac would consider switching to the much-maligned Yamaha.
The answer comes via Borsoi’s dismissal of Pramac’s links with the Japanese manufacturer.
Pramac enjoys a close relationship with Ducati whereby they receive current spec machinery, something that isn’t afforded to the likes of Gresini or even VR46, who have also been linked with Yamaha in the past.
Yamaha has the opportunity to offer a satellite outfit not only a large financial incentive but also factory-spec machinery and if Pramac continues to get the same treatment from Ducati, the likes of Gresini could be tempted to look elsewhere.
Such a move by Yamaha and Gresini would have massive implications on the rider market for 2025, with both Marquez brothers’ futures up in the air, as is the case for the majority of the paddock.
In the case of Marc Marquez, the Spaniard has just got back into the fight at the front aboard the Desmosedici GP23 and a step back to a struggling Yamaha is akin to the situation he left behind at long-time partner Honda.
Still with the majority of the grid yet to confirm their futures, Yamaha and Gresini would have plenty of suitors if they elected to partner up next season.
