Three big MotoGP™ 2024 rider lineup jigsaw pieces have fallen into place since the Austrian GP, as Gresini Racing MotoGP™’s vacant seat alongside Alex Marquez for next season continues to fill us all with intrigue.
The latest confirmation we’ve received is Jake Dixon will remain within the ranks of the GASGAS Aspar Team in the Moto2™ class for 2024, despite the Brit being heavily linked with the available seat. It was rumoured he was set to step up, but on Thursday, August 24th, it was confirmed Dixon would be staying put.
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Tony Arbolino was the other Moto2™ starlet rumours circulated around, but the Italian will be staying with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team in Moto2™ next year. Arbolino had long been linked with the ride, but he has penned a deal to stay in the intermediate class for another campaign.
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Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was another name in the hat for the Gresini ride, but the rumours of the Frenchman joining LCR Honda Castrol for 2024 quickly became a reality. Prima Pramac confirmed the #5 would be leaving them at the end of the season after Sunday’s race at the Red Bull Ring, with LCR Honda announcing Zarco as their new rider on Tuesday post-GP.
So who’s still in the frame for Gresini’s second MotoGP™ seat in 2024? We had a look at exactly that after the British GP, but things have changed since then. Let’s have another gander.
Fabio Di Giannantonio
Current Gresini Racing MotoGP™ rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio, was asked about his future on Sunday after the British GP. The Italian didn’t give much away but sounded positive about where his future lies – whether that’s with Gresini or elsewhere.
“From my side it’s quite clear but at the moment I don’t want to think about it. I want to just focus on racing. Once you do a good job on track, then off track everything will be easier. I think it’s a matter of time to know what my future is but it’s really bright I think,” said Di Giannantonio.
Ahead of the Austrian GP, Gresini Sporting Director Michele Masini admitted their priority is to “give time” to Di Giannantonio, and “the next two or three races” will be the deadline in terms of Gresini making a decision on who will partner Marquez.
Franco Morbidelli
Ever since Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director, spoke highly of Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) at the British GP, the Italian’s immediate future seems destined to be with Ducati.
Before the Austrian GP, logic suggested Mooney VR46 Racing was Morbidelli’s most likely destination given his close affiliation with Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Academy. However, The Doctor’s comments about advising Marco Bezzecchi that he should stay where he is and not move to Prima Pramac Racing in 2024 has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works.
If it isn’t Bezzecchi replacing Zarco at Prima Pramac, Morbidelli becomes a frontrunner for that seat. And if it isn’t Morbidelli, given Ciabatti and Ducati’s obvious interest in the 2020 runner-up, then the #21 becomes a leading contender for the Gresini seat. Essentially, Bezzecchi is the important domino that will fall first. The rest will follow suit.
Or is there someone else?
The two aforementioned riders look like the most likely options, but that could easily change at any moment in this wild 2024 MotoGP™ rider market. Three names have left the running in the last two weeks, could there be more before the Catalan GP? We’re set to learn plenty in the coming weeks as to who will be racing one of a Gresini Ducati in 2024. The intrigue and wait continues.