Dorna I imagine are keeping it open for the likes of BMW, for whom they might be waiting a while, rather than a Yamaha satellite team. The problem partly wrought by Dorna is that even Ducati satellite bikes are really good, particularly compared to Honda, but also more recently Yamaha as well. If they can provide a better bike they will have less trouble attracting a satellite team, but then again they want.a satellite team to help improve their bike. I suspect their plan was for a VR 46 satellite team all along which other parties would have known, although Tech 3 got an offer they couldn’t refuse from KTM.
IIRC at the time there was definitely rumours that a VR46 team would be going ahead sooner rather than later and Yamaha would be providing bikes to them over Tech3. I may be misremembering but I seem to recall Yamaha coming out and more or less confirming that the VR46 squad would get there bikes and Tech3 would have to look elsewhere. Herve was understandably pissed and KTM came along with their offer to him which was better than what he was getting form Yamaha anyway, Petronas/SRT came in at the last second to provide Yamaha a satellite team which unfortunately for Yamaha did not last for long.
This is exactly what I was referring to when I spoke about his management.
Imo and as has been said in the bike racing press there isn’t anything which will allow them to keep all 4 of their current top riders after this season. Either Bastianini or Martin is gone from Ducati if not on the factory Ducati team in 2025. I can understand Bastianini’s attitude as well, he is a major talent regarded as a threat to Bagnaia before the 2023 season, and was derailed by injury problems not of his own causation, but looks to be back now. Imo the demand for his services in 2025 would likely be close to the demand for Martin’s services.
Dorna have flat out refused KTM to field 2 more satellite bikes that they offered to fully fund themselves. Dorna want less bikes, not more. They have long said that unless a manufacturer comes in to replace Suzuki, the number will remain at 22 and they went as far as saying the optimum number is 20.
Yamaha have reaped what they sow. Tech3 bailed because they were told as soon as Rossi retires and wants to set up his own team, those bikes would be going to them. So Herve did the smart thing and jumped before he was pushed. Then Rossi ...... Yamaha over...again.
The strategy of sucking up to Rossi was always going to doom them in the long run.
That is my (biased) view as view as well in regard to both MM's quality as a rider obviously, and also MM's value to Ducati. I just don't see what VR46's plan is, and In particular what plan was communicated to Bezzecchi given he reportedly knocked back an offer to ride a factory bike for Pramac which as I understand it involves a Ducati contract, unless there was either a factory Ducati in the offing or expansive plans for a future at Yamaha. Yamaha does have a history with previous Yamaha greats such as Agostini and KRSR post their racing careers. I guess Bezzecchi would have been pretty much on his own at Pramac rather than being the team owner's protege, and the pipeline from there to the Ducati factory team is narrow gauge at the moment. And given their general attitude to MM they may have been expecting Bezzecchi to beat him on the same bike.
Yes, fan allegiances aside it is preferable for Ducati not to have most of the top riding talent as well as the best bike. I rate Bastianini's talent very highly, and it would be very interesting to see him on an Aprilia, along with Acosta on a KTM with a year's experience.My personal preference is for Bastianini to join Mav at Aprilia. Depending on Enea's performance in winter testing, he could add intrigue to the championship and increase competition between the manufacturers.
Regarding VR46, I get the sense that this is part of Rossi's pension plan from Dorna, and he's tasked his organization with putting Italian riders in the shop window. This would explain why he's turned down Yamaha satellite bikes at a steep discount. I'd imagine the Ducati are the most supportive of his mission, and VR's contracts with Dorna are structured to meet his objectives. After 2 decades in the premier class, he probably knows how to ensure no one has leverage over him.
Why does Yamaha keep his as a brand ambassador? Why indeed? He rides a Yamaha at his rider academy tests, but other than that, I'm not sure how he promotes the brand or its products. Maybe he's going to race an R9 in World Supersport next year?
That was more or less my question, and you sound like you are in touch with the Italian scene. So will VR 46 have a factory bike next year ?.
