Hey, that's my say according to Kechato.
Round 5: 2024 Michelin Grand Prix de France - Le Mans Bugatti Circuit
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Ducati are probably pursuing both outcomes. Marc gives them options in the short run, but Martin is the bigger long-term threat when RHD disappears. They need both of them, though Martin is probably more valuable because no manufacturer has really challenged Ducati in this era.
The only way all of the pieces fit together, imo, is for Martin to move to Lenovo Ducati, which lessens the perceived threat of Marc hijacking Pecco’s team, while Marc remains at Gresini on a factory bike. Originally, I thought Marc would need to go factory to keep his sponsors, but IIRC Marc will need to give up Red Bull to ride at Lenovo Ducati. I’m not convinced he’ll jump to KTM or Aprilia, but who knows?
If Pramac move to Yamaha, Marc might be able to score a factory bike for his brother as well. That could be a motivating factor.
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Good stuff. Ducati is in a tough position here. I think the other factor is money. Can you see ducati willing to pay Martin more money than Pecco? I believe I read that Marc would be willing to drop Red Bull for the factory seat. I don't see Marc leaving Ducati regardless of who gets the factory seat. I think the deciding factor will be if Martin. If he wants money and to be the #1 or if he wants the ducati bike more. He has been very vocal about his willingness to leave if he doesn't get the seat. That could work for or against him.
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Very much agree with this post. Gigi was once quoted as saying as far back as 2018/2019 "Why WOULDN'T you want Morc on your bike? If he is on another manufacturer, he is taking points/wins/titles away from you"
But like MDub says, they have planted their mast at Bagnaias feet. He's still young, presumably hungry and has won 2 WC's for them. Marc is towards the end of his career but shows he still has it.
Last month, he said he wanted a factory team because even a priveteer team with factory bikes is not quite the same as full factory. He seems to have changed his tune more of late so if he doesn't move to Lenovo next yr, it will be because of getting a factory bike at Gresini like you said. Red Bull may be very persuasive though for him to go to KTM.
I think Bezz (as much as I dislike him) would get a factory bike before Alex.
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Either way, Martin must know he’s painted himself in a corner. If he leaves Ducati for another brand, he’ll have to learn a new bike. If he stays on a satellite team, he’ll look like he blinked. Seems like he’s thinking he has the championship in the bag, and is basing his demands on that premise. The pressure he puts on himself in that regard, has great potential to affect his riding this year. Thus far, he’s seemed much less impulsive than last year. But flapping his gums to the press that way, is not a good sign. Just saying, hubris can be a ......
I’ll leave the Ducati cup debates about who goes where up to all you who care. It will be boring to me.
I am interested in good racing between at least a couple of manufacturers and as has been said, I think Aprilia and KTM could contend with different riders, except Acosta, who will soon be a factor. Really a shame Fabio decided to stay on an uncompetitive bike, though as a fan I hope he makes headway on the Yam.
A big ask for Martin to leave, but I think he would shine on a factory effort at either Aprilia KTM. He may go if he gets squeezed out at Ducati, though I would love to see him and Pecco on the factory bikes.
I am interested in good racing between at least a couple of manufacturers and as has been said, I think Aprilia and KTM could contend with different riders, except Acosta, who will soon be a factor. Really a shame Fabio decided to stay on an uncompetitive bike, though as a fan I hope he makes headway on the Yam.
A big ask for Martin to leave, but I think he would shine on a factory effort at either Aprilia KTM. He may go if he gets squeezed out at Ducati, though I would love to see him and Pecco on the factory bikes.
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He has stated he will only take a factory bike next yr. So if it isn't Ducati, then the hot favourite is Aprilia. However, there have been rumours he could take a big money offer from Honda too.
I agree, which is why I get irritated likewise with teams like Aprilia seemingly happy to sit stale witn the riders they have. Stick Quartararo and Martin on the Aprilia, and they would be consistently at the front most likely.
The other manufacturers are partly to blame though. Ducati should only be allowed a max of 2 customer teams. The problem is, that they have been the only manufacturer willing to supply bikes. Yamaha looked at the finances over performance which is why Tech3 left. Suzuki continually refused to supply a satellite team, Aprilia refused for the longest time. KTM up until recently were the only manufacturer who wanted to expand their presence but Dorna have refused.
It would never happen, but Dorna should force VR46 to run Yamaha seeing as he is taking their ambassador money.
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That was my thought as well. If Ducati goes with Marc what other options will Martin have? If he really leaves pramac his choice will be take the offer Aprilia offers or take the money truck from Honda or Yamaha to hang out in the back. I suppose KTM could offer him some dough but why? They have an extremely talented young rider already.
I'm not sure what I want more: Martin to be oil to Pecco's water at the red factory or Martin on the Aprilia because as others have said, we'd get a better idea of how good the Aprilia really is.
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They haven't been coy about pursuing Bestia. Italian rider on Italian bike, next best option after Jorge and Marc, if a bit unexciting.
Does Liberty taking ownership of the GP change who can afford who? If the setup is like F1 then the teams get significant funding from the series which could help the smaller factories like Aprilia afford some of the bigger names in the paddock.
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Aprilia has had great service out of Aleix however he is getting old and his team mate has a slight upper hand
Gigi is an engineer, He just wants the bike he has designed to go as fast as possible, so imo all he wants is the fastest rider on it, without any sentiment at all, as we saw with his attitude to Dovi who had been a Ducati stalwart. This applies to engineering as well, as you have said in the past he will do whatever makes the bike go fastest, even if it involves horrible aero stuff.
Gigi has been saying things which seem to favour MM, but MM has also changed his tune to wanting a factory bike rather than being on the factory team, perhaps after being competitive on a 1 year old bike riding for a team which is not even the top Ducati satellite team, so a GP25 with a promise of support from GIgi might suffice for him. Gigi/Ducati are probably not impressed with the disposition of Pramac’s second bike this year either, so they can say to Pramac they bungled this if they want to change the destination of the second factory bike Pramac currrently has.
Martin by any measure is the top Ducati rider currently whatever we MM partisans consider MM might do on a GP24, and if the decision is made for current merit and long term benefit to their cause he should get the ride imo.
Domenicali is an arrogant prick though, imo only of course, who has mishandled riders in the past, and if Gigi who has shown he has better judgement than Domenicali is of the view that he has enough winning riders whatever choice is made politics may come into it. I doubt Ducati were impressed with Bagnaia strong arming them for the money he is now on and public comments about who should be his team mate, so they may not be concerned with giving him him a team mate who doesn’t threaten him. Martin demanding a factory seat might not have impressed them either. Bastianini is a considerable talent imo but his injury luck last year may have worked against him particularly if they make the decision before he has much chance to show his wares this year.
As Bern 1 says perhaps we should just enjoy the racing to which all of this is a sidelight.
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