Gresini Racing has secured two-year MotoGP contracts with world champion Joan Mir and rising Spanish talent Daniel Holgado, locking them in through 2027. The announcement ends months of speculation and places Mir alongside Holgado as the team’s senior duo, replacing outgoing and Fermín Aldeguer. Gresini made the moves public via social media, marking a clear break from the past and signaling a new competitive cycle.
The Spanish outfit, now under the leadership of team manager Nadia Padovani following Fausto Gresini’s death in 2023, is betting big on youth and experience. Mir, 28, brings four premier-class wins and a title to Gresini’s garage, while Holgado, 20, arrives after a breakout 2024 campaign that included two podiums. The pair will spearhead Gresini’s push to climb from ninth in the constructors’ championship, where they finished on 109 points in 2024.
The driver swap is a calculated risk. Marquez leaves after two seasons with four podiums, while Aldeguer departs after a single year marked by inconsistency. Gresini’s 2025 lineup of Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini—expected to contend for race wins—will provide a bridge year before Mir and Holgado take over in 2027.
The move also frees Holgado from a satellite role, elevating him to a factory-backed seat with long-term security. The timing of the announcement is aggressive. Locking in a 2027 roster years in advance is rare in MotoGP’s volatile transfer market, where loyalty often lasts a single season.
By securing Mir now, Gresini ensures they have a development rider capable of translating feedback into speed, a skill that proved vital during his championship run. Holgado’s promotion from rookie to factory-backed status in one leap bypasses the traditional ladder, suggesting Gresini views him as a franchise cornerstone rather than a mere prospect. This restructuring fundamentally alters Gresini’s identity.
The team is moving away from its recent reliance on the Marquez family ecosystem and inconsistent rookies toward a stable, meritocratic core. The decision to wait until 2027 allows the current Bezzecchi-Marini pairing to deliver immediate results without the pressure of long-term job security, effectively creating a "prove-it" culture. If the bridge squad falters, the infrastructure is already primed for the Mir-Holgado era, minimizing the risk of a performance vacuum.
The market dynamics here are ruthless. Securing contracts two years out is a power play that freezes out rival satellite squads like VR46 and Pramac, forcing them to scramble for remaining talent or overpay for mid-packers. Gresini is essentially cornering the market on "high-ceiling" availability before the silly season even begins.
This early aggression prevents the talent drain that plagued them in previous transfer windows, ensuring they aren't left picking from the scrap heap when the music stops. Technically, the pairing solves a communication gap that hampered the 2024 effort. Mir’s previous tenure on Ducati machinery means he speaks the same language as the engineers, allowing for rapid iteration on setup—a luxury Aldeguer lacked as a rookie.
Holgado benefits immediately; instead of learning a new bike alone, he has a former champion to dissect data with. This shared knowledge base creates a multiplier effect, potentially accelerating development cycles that usually take seasons to mature. Nadia Padovani framed the signings as a commitment to sustainable success.
“Joan and Dani represent the blend of maturity and potential we need to build a competitive team,” she said. ” The hires follow months of behind-the-scenes talks with both riders and their respective management teams. What’s next: Gresini will use 2025 and 2026 to refine its bike and infrastructure, with Mir and Holgado expected to integrate gradually.
The first real test comes at the 2025 pre-season tests in Malaysia, where the new-look squad will aim to close the gap to the top four constructors. Longer term, the duo’s chemistry and development under Padovani’s direction will determine whether Gresini can return to the front of the MotoGP grid. Read at Motorsport.com MotoGP
Why this matters
Gresini’s gamble on Mir and Holgado is a high-stakes bid to reignite a once-dominant team that has slipped into the midfield. Mir’s championship pedigree and Holgado’s raw speed address two of MotoGP’s most coveted assets: proven winners and rising stars. Their arrivals could tilt the power balance in the satellite ranks, especially if Gresini’s Ducati-based package improves under their feedback. The move also signals a decisive generational shift in leadership under Padovani, who is staking the team’s future on a duo with everything to prove.
Frequently asked
Why did Gresini replace Alex Marquez and Fermín Aldeguer?
Marquez’s two seasons yielded four podiums but no wins, while Aldeguer’s single year was inconsistent. Gresini opted for a reset, prioritizing Mir’s title-winning pedigree and Holgado’s upside to rebuild competitively.
When do Mir and Holgado officially join Gresini?
Both riders are under contract from the 2027 MotoGP season onward, with Gresini’s current lineup of Bezzecchi and Marini serving as a transitional pairing in 2025 and 2026.
How many MotoGP wins does Joan Mir have?
Mir has four premier-class victories, all achieved during his title campaign. His move to Gresini reunites him with Ducati, the manufacturer he raced for in 2019–2020.
What’s Daniel Holgado’s 2024 MotoGP record?
Holgado scored two podiums in 2024, finishing fifth in the championship as the top rookie. His rapid progression earned him a factory seat, elevating him from satellite rider to Gresini’s lead pairing.
Who manages Gresini Racing now?
Team manager Nadia Padovani leads Gresini following Fausto Gresini’s passing in 2023. She oversees the squad’s operational and sporting decisions, including the Mir and Holgado signings.
What’s Gresini’s constructors’ standing in 2024?
Gresini ended 2024 ninth in the constructors’ championship with 109 points, 164 behind the leaders. The team aims to climb into the top four with its new driver lineup.
