MotoGP: Pramac Racing sign new three-year Ducati deal

Pramac Racing will remain a factory-supported satellite Ducati team for the next three MotoGP seasons after agreeing a new deal with the Italian manufacturer.

The new deal will see Pramac running two Ducati Desmocedici bikes until at least the end of the 2024 campaign. The relationship with Ducati began in 2005 but the Pramac team has become a much bigger part of Ducati’s MotoGP project in recent years.

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This season’s factory line-up of Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia were both promoted from Pramac for this season, whilst Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Iannone also followed the same route.

In the modern era of MotoGP, Pramac Racing receive two factory-spec Desmoscedicis for their riders. This year Johann Zarco has secured three podiums from the opening five races and sits third in the championship. Rookie Jorge Martin also made an impressive start to 2021, finishing third at the Doha GP, until he fractured his hand and foot in an FP3 crash at Portimao.

“We are very proud of the work and the results we have achieved in recent years with Ducati, we are happy to continue this wonderful adventure for the next three years,”Pramac owner Paolo Campinoti said. “We have created a very special relationship with Ducati, we have achieved incredible goals and the best is yet to come!”

Since the beginning of the 2019 season Pramac Racing riders have clinched 14 podiums for the Bologna manufacturer and are edging closer to a potential victory with Zarco. Martin already has a contract for 2022, whilst Zarco is expected to sign a new deal in the next few weeks following Ducati’s decision to keep Miller and Bagnaia in the factory squad for 2022.

“It is really a pleasure for us to be able to announce the renewal of our partnership with Pramac Racing for the next three MotoGP seasons,”Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti added.

“Together with Pramac Racing we have achieved very important results and, thanks to the close collaboration with them, we have been able to increase the young drivers in the top category who have then moved on to the official team with success.And we are sure we have what it takes to enjoy many other great satisfactions together with Pramac Racing!”

Ducati currently supply the Avintia team with Desmocedici GP19 bikes, however that team is expected to become Valentino Rossi’s official VR46 squad next season. Rossi is believed to be negotiating with Ducati in a deal which would see that partnership continue.