The iconic Gresini name is coming back to MotoGP as a full-fledged satellite team outfit, after years of sponsoring the Aprilia brand. Of course, Gresini have an impressive pedigree as a standalone satellite team, most notably in their involvement with Honda, where they achieved podiums with Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri and Toni Elias. However, their reinvigorated campaign will see them take on Ducati bikes in their quest for glory.
After the tragic passing of Fausto Gresini in 2021, the team will stand as an important reminder of his legacy and will hopefully bring even more glory to the name of a MotoGP legend.
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The team will be headed up by Fausto’s wife; Nadia Padovani, who has ‘a lot of expectations,’ for the team and her riders. In order to fully focus on their MotoGP efforts, the Gresini name will no longer be amongst the Moto3 class where they have enjoyed many successes, including the World Championship accolades in 2018 with Jorge Martin. They will however continue in the Moto2 category with Filip Salac (a promising rookie of the Moto2 class) and Andrea Zaccone (an impressive talent within the inaugural MotoE seasons.)
Nadia has a lot of expectations for me and Fabio and I want to do my maximum.
Enea Bastianini, Gresini Racing MotoGP rider
To take the team to victory in MotoGP are riders Enea Bastianini and Fabio di Giannantonio. Bastianini had an impressive rookie campaign in 2021, achieving 2 podiums and fighting for the crown of Rookie of the Year until the final race. Ducati Corse team manager, Gigi D’alligna, expects Bastianini to be a ‘protagonist’ of the season to come, as he builds on the knowledge he gained in his first season in MotoGP as well as the upgrade in machinery that he will receive going from the Desmosedici GP19 to the Desmosedici GP21.
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Enea has to continue to grow in MotoGP. He did very well in his rookie season. He was able to reach a couple of podiums. I expect for sure he continues on this path and grows with his talent. I think he could be a real protagonist during the season.
Ducati Corse team manager, Gigi D’alligna
Fabio di Giannantonio will be a rookie in this year’s MotoGP class, one of four in the class of 2022, and he comes into the class as (arguably) the underdog of the crop, what with his fellow rookies being the Moto2 champion, vice-champion and bronze medalist finishers in 2021.
Fast Fabio, tip for Moto GP rookie of the year
However, ‘diggia’ is not a rider to be discounted. He was the fastest rookie in the November test at the end of last season, and he was a consistent challenger for the podium during his tenure in both the Moto2 and Moto3 categories. Perhaps being the rider with the least amount of pressure to do well (from a media perspective) he may be the surprise runner of the season.
I can’t wait to go to Malaysia to ride this beast! My baby. And be on the grid in Qatar… I’m a bit nervous because it’s a dream come true to ride for this team, that believed in me from the start.
Fabio do Giannantonio, Gresini Racing MotoGP rider
Aldo Drudi designed paint
Yesterday the Gresini team unveiled their new livery as they begin their first satellite campaign in MotoGP for 7 years. The striking, glossy red stands for the iconic colours of the Ducati team, whose machinery they will be using for the 2022 campaign, whilst the stunning blue is Pantone colour 2122, which represents ‘a clean and young tint for fresh energy,’ as the Gresini team will be new to the grid in 2022 and their riders and young, with fresh energy. The retro-style livery was designed by Aldo Drudi, most famous for Valentino’s iconic helmet designs.
Gresini 2022 livery looks to the future by honouring the past
Personally, I’m excited to see the Gresini name back as a fully-fledged racing team, and I think their line-up is exceptionally promising, particularly Enea Bastianini. I also love the colour scheme they have opted for: it’s bright and colourful but with enough reverence for the past imbued into the scheme. It is the perfect livery for such times, where we must look with hope to the future, but always honour our past.
What do you think of the new livery, the Gresini team and their two riders? Drop a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
This article was written by the fantastic Rebekah Lee, our resident Motorsport nut and MA Creative writing graduate. She’s been fascinated by all things motorsports since childhood – follow her on Twitter at @bekahjlee
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