Gresini Racing MotoGP™ has a storied history that spans both on and off the track. Founded by the late Fausto Gresini, a two-time 125cc World Champion, the team has left an indelible mark on the world of motorcycle racing.
Fausto Gresini's journey in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing began as a rider in the 125cc class in 1983. He quickly made his presence felt by securing his first win in the following season. However, it was in 1985 that Gresini truly etched his name in the annals of racing history by capturing the 125cc World Championship. This achievement was followed by a closely fought runner-up position in 1986 before Gresini staged a remarkable comeback in 1987, securing his second 125cc World Championship title with an impressive tally of 10 wins.
After retiring from racing in 1994 with a total of 21 Grand Prix victories, Fausto Gresini transitioned to the role of Team Manager, embarking on a new chapter in his career. In 1997, he founded the Gresini Racing team, marking the beginning of a successful era in team management. The team reached new heights in 2001 when Japanese rider Daijiro Kato led Gresini Racing to their first World Championship title in the 250cc class.
Gresini's managerial prowess continued to shine as the team secured further rider Championships, including Toni Elias in Moto2™ in 2010 and Jorge Martin in Moto3™ in 2018. In 2019, they triumphed in the inaugural FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup with rider Matteo Ferrari.
In 2022, Gresini Racing were once again Grand Prix winners in the premier class as Enea Bastianini took victory under the Lusail lights on opening night. It proved an emotionally charged night as the Italian embraced Nadia Padovani, Gresini Racing’s Team Owner and wife to the late Fausto Gresini, in celebration. It was the first time a Gresini rider won in MotoGP™ since Toni Elias pipped Valentino Rossi in Estoril 2006, and three more wins would follow.
The legacy of Fausto Gresini's leadership is perhaps best exemplified by the fact that his teams compete across all three classes of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship. Beyond the trophies and titles, Gresini Racing MotoGP™ became known for its sense of family and camaraderie and his untimely passing in 2021 left a void in the MotoGP™ community, with tributes pouring in from riders, colleagues, and fans alike.
The team is now under the stewardship of Padovani, who opened up on her motivations to see the team succeed to motogp.com: “I never thought of giving up, even in difficult times, because the urge to honour Fausto was always stronger than the urge to give up everything.” Gresini Racing certainly prides itself on its family atmosphere, with Nadia’s children Luca and Lorenzo also heavily involved behind the scenes.
Now Gresini Racing welcome a new member to the family, and one unlike anyone they’ve had before. Marc Marquez will don the blue leathers from 2024, and brings with him a wealth of experience during 16 trophy-laden seasons on the World Championship stage. Having spent 11 years with Japanese brand Repsol Honda, it will be a massive change for the iconic #93, who must adapt to the family style surrounding of an Italian team as quickly as possible.
It is undeniably one of the most captivating and intriguing moves the sport has witnessed, and it's poised to be a must-watch spectacle in 2024. Can a rider hailed as one of the greatest in the history of the sport reinvent himself within a team that has firmly established itself in the paddock? Only time holds the answer.