MotoGP Brazil GP
Ducati trusts that "everything will remain same" amid Gresini-Honda rumours
Ducati Corse's sporting director Mauro Grassilli met with Gresini owner Nadia Padovani on Sunday, with the Italian team yet to renew its satellite deal with the Bologna-based marque
Germán Garcia Casanova
Edited: Mar 23, 2026, 2:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Ducati appears confident that its satellite structure in MotoGP will remain intact beyond 2026, despite uncertainty surrounding Gresini Racing’s future with the Italian marque.
The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend was marked by ongoing discussions in the paddock regarding Ducati’s satellite team line-up for the next regulations cycle in 2027. While VR46 has a long-term agreement, Gresini’s position has come under scrutiny following recent rider market developments.
VR46 signed a five-year deal with Ducati structured as a 2+3 arrangement, covering 2025-26 with an automatic extension through to 2029 unless either party opts out. Sources within the team insist there was never any intention to switch manufacturers, despite some interest from Aprilia, describing the renewal as a “formality”.
However, tensions emerged after Ducati decided to move Fermin Aldeguer – currently linked with Gresini – to VR46 from next season. The decision came as a surprise to Gresini boss Nadia Padovani and is understood to have left her upset.
Receiving the news that Aldeguer was going to move to VR46 shook the confidence of Fausto Gresini’s widow in Ducati, and triggered rumours about the team's supposed negotiations with Honda - reports that have since been denied by the Japanese manufacturer.
Nadia Padovani, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Qian Jun / MB Media via Getty Images
On Sunday afternoon, Ducati sporting director Mauro Grassilli met Padovani in the Goiania paddock alongside Gresini team manager Michele Masini. The meeting lasted around 25 minutes, with Grassilli offering a brief update afterwards.
"Everything is going well, but now I cannot make comments, I will speak after Austin," said Grassilli in reference to the upcoming United States GP.
Sources from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer indicated that "the impression right now is that everything will remain the same," with VR46 and Gresini remaining as Ducati’s satellite teams
Rider salaries
What is expected to change, however, is the rider line-up. Pedro Acosta is widely tipped to join the factory squad, while Aldeguer’s move to VR46 reshuffles the available seats across Ducati’s structure - leaving three positions still to be finalised.
Another key element in the negotiations concerns rider salaries. Ducati currently pays the full wages of some riders placed in satellite teams, including Aldeguer and Fabio di Giannantonio.
From 2027, however, Ducati wants a revised model in which partner teams contribute financially towards rider contracts. VR46 is expected to take on part of Aldeguer’s salary under this arrangement, while similar terms are being discussed with Gresini.
Although this remains a point of negotiation, it is not viewed as a major obstacle, with a renewal between Ducati and Gresini expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi said in an interview with Sky Italia that he expects Gresini to remain in the marque's 2027 roster.
"We don't want to lose them. They're an excellent team, we'll do everything we can to keep them with us, and I think they want to stay with Ducati," said Tardozzi, whose role is limited to the factory squad.
Photos from Brazil GP - Sunday
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
Brazil GP - Sunday, in photos
MotoGP
51
Read Also:
MotoGPWinners and losers from MotoGP’s returning Brazilian Grand Prix
MotoGP“Unacceptable conditions” - Alex Rins, Alex Marquez hit by flying asphalt in Brazil GP
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Pedro Acosta: ‘Last year’s KTM wasn’t that bad, and this year’s isn’t that good either’
Next article What made Aprilia so dominant in Brazilian GP after sprint defeat
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Germán Garcia Casanova
Pedro Acosta proposes new idea for monitoring tyre pressure in MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP 11 h
Pedro Acosta proposes new idea for monitoring tyre pressure in MotoGP
MotoGP riders oppose fines for missing fan events
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
MotoGP riders oppose fines for missing fan events
More from
Ducati Team
Ducati rubbishes claim 2026 MotoGP bike built specifically for Marc Marquez
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Ducati rubbishes claim 2026 MotoGP bike built specifically for Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez: Indonesian GP results a “dream” at my “worst circuit”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Marc Marquez: Indonesian GP results a “dream” at my “worst circuit”
Latest news
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
20 min
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 1 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
Why Christian Horner banned Mercedes' name as Red Bull built its own F1 engine
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
2 h
Why Christian Horner banned Mercedes' name as Red Bull built its own F1 engine
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe