There's a whole host of riders getting ready to embark on new challenges in 2021, meaning crew chiefs up and down pitlane are preparing to do the same thing. The trusted right-hand men to MotoGP™ riders play a crucial role throughout the season, with experience, knowledge and a strong relationship key to a successful partnership. Here's a full breakdown of who's with whom this coming season:
Ducati
In the factory Ducati Team, both Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia bring with them their crew chiefs from their time in the Pramac Racing squad. Christian Pupulin will be by the Australian's side, whilst Christian Gabbarini returns to the factory box, this time with Bagnaia, after working alongside Jorge Lorenzo during his time at the Bologna brand.
In the Pramac Racing garage, Johann Zarco brings Marco Rigamonti with him from his year in Esponsorama Racing, whilst premier class rookie Jorge Martin will partner up with Danilo Petrucci former crew chief, Daniele Romagnoli.
Finally in the Esponsorama Racing box, Moto2™ World Champion Enea Bastianini will work alongside Andrea Dovizioso's long-time sidekick Alberto Giribuola and Luca Marini will be with former Ducati WorldSBK stalwart Luca Ferracioli.
Yamaha
With two big rider changes about to take place at Yamaha, so do two big crew chief switches. In the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP box, Maverick Viñales remains once again with Esteban Garcia and Top Gun's new teammate, Fabio Quartararo, brings with him Diego Gubellini from Petronas Yamaha SRT.
Likewise, there's a change in Petronas Yamaha SRT. Franco Morbidelli sticks with Ramon Forcada and Valentino Rossi will embark on a second year with David Muñoz, as the Spaniard moves with The Doctor to the Malaysian outfit.
Suzuki
Why change a winning formula? After their most successful MotoGP™ season in history, it comes as no surprise that both the World Champion Joan Mir and Alex Rins are remaining with their respective crew chiefs: Briton's Frankie Carchedi with the 36 and Argentina's José Manuel Cazeaux with the 42.
KTM
There are changes in both sides of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing box. Miguel Oliveira is paired with Pol Espargaro's former crew chief, Kiwi Paul Trevathan, and Brad Binder has a new man in his team too. Joining the South African is Andres Madrid, with whom he spent two years with in the Moto2™ World Championship and who latterly worked with Tetsuta Nagashima in the intermediate class.
Meanwhile, in Red Bull KTM Tech3, new boy Danilo Petrucci teams up with Binder's crew chief from 2020, Sergio Verbena, whilst Iker Lecuona remains with Nicolas Goyon.
Honda
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez will once again be next to Santi Hernandez in 2021 and Pol Espargaro will start his HRC adventure with the experienced Ramón Aurín - who himself is starting his fifth year with a fifth different rider after working with Jack Miller in 2017, Takaaki Nakagami in 2018, Jorge Lorenzo in 2019 and Alex Marquez in 2020.
Japanese star Takaaki Nakagami will continue alongside Dani Pedrosa’s former crew chief Giacomo Guidotti and Alex Marquez will work with Cal Crutchlow's long-time partner, Christophe 'Beefy' Bourguignon.
Aprilia
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini's Aleix Espargaro is set to embark on his third season alongside Antonio Jimenez.