Ducati’s MotoGP team introduced Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia as factory riders for 2021 earlier this month. This new version meant that Andrea Dovizioso was eliminated from the starting field and Danilo Petrucci moved to the Tech 3 KTM squad. It has also created a vacuum at Pramac Ducati. Well, that position has officially been filled, and the satellite racing team unveiled its paint job for 2021, introducing Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin as new drivers.
Starting with the Bologna Bullets, Pramac will enjoy Desmosedici racing bikes of the current specification in the upcoming MotoGP season. Although the satellite time runs Rosse similar to the factory team, the Pramac branding and the red / blue / white graphics differ from Ducati’s pure red motif. After a year on board the Aventia team’s GP19, Zarco moves up to a GP21 on motorbikes. Martin has to adapt even more as a MotoGP rookie.
“Martin is an incredibly talented rookie, while Zarco has a lot of experience,” said Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti. “This will result in a perfect combination of young energy on one side and experience on the other.”
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Zarco’s promotion to the Pramac team follows his surprising pole position and podium finish at the Czech GP in 2020. The Frenchman’s Pramac contract, previously signed with the Red Bull KTM MotoGP team, means his return to a factory contract. His 13th place and 77 championship points will help Ducati secure the constructor’s crown in 2020 and Ducati hopes he can help defend the title in 2021.
On the other side of the paddock, Jorge Martin also has KTM ties. The former Moto3 champion, who moves up from the Red Bull KTM Moto2 team, is one of three rookies signed to Ducati in 2021. The Spanish rider joins Pramac after an unsuccessful Moto2 title challenge last season. Despite taking a win at the Valencia and Austria Grand Prix, Martin missed two races because he signed COVID-19.
Of course, Moto2 champion Enea Bastiani will also be riding a Ducati in the coming MotoGP year so that the rookie rivalry can intensify even further. Regardless of the results, Pramac expects Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco to contribute to the satellite teams’ goals in 2021.