Gresini has been present as a satellite outfit in the premier class since 1997 and has recorded 14 wins and 41 podium places in its time.
After splitting from Honda in late 2014, Gresini joined the returning Aprilia for 2015, with the Italian brand benefiting from the financial benefits granted to independent teams under the current agreement with MotoGP, which expires in late 2021.
Aprilia should become its own factory team at the end of the current contract with independent teams. Gresini announced that it has signed a new five-year deal to stay in the premier class on Monday from 2022 to 2026.
“We are pleased to announce this agreement with the IRTA (International Race Teams Association), which will see us in MotoGP for five years from 2022,” said team principal Gresini.
“We will no longer represent Aprilia as a works team, so we will continue as an independent team and do so with just as much will and commitment.”
“There is a lot to do and a lot of things to define and communicate.
“Obviously we are already working on this huge project and will gradually reveal the details. Stay tuned!”
From the current grid, Gresini is the only independent team that has officially committed to MotoGP after 2022. KTM is currently the only manufacturer to have signed a new agreement.
The 2020 season was turbulent for the Gresini Aprilia squad and had to replace Andrea Iannone after the one-time MotoGP race winner was given an initial 18-month doping ban.
Aprilia moved in with test driver Bradley Smith before replacing him with Lorenzo Savadori for the final three laps.
Aleix Espargaro finished 17th overall and the best result of eighth place at the Portuguese Grand Prix, while Aprilia was the last in the constructors’ table.
After Iannone has been banned for four years after the Sports Arbitration Court granted the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal to increase his suspension last month, Aprilia will decide to join Espargaro after winter testing between Smith and Savadori.
Aprilia made offers to several top Moto2 riders, including Valentino Rossi protégé Marco Bezzecchi and American Joe Roberts.
However, VR46 didn’t give Bezzecchi the green light to improve, while Roberts opted against the move to stay with 2020 Moto2 champion Italtrans Racing.