It appears that the only vacant spot in MotoGP for 2024 is with Repsol Honda, but there might still be a rider swap. In recent days, rumors have emerged about Jorge Martín moving to the official Ducati team, with Enea Bastianini taking his place at Pramac.
The AS newspaper reports that ‘the doors of the official Ducati garage are opening again’ for Martín – who is currently fighting for the title with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) with just three rounds left in the season. Bastianini, who was the preferred choice for the seat alongside Bagnaia in 2023, has had a challenging season, hampered by several injuries.
Martín’s performance and statistics are clear: four wins, four pole positions, a total of eight podiums, and seven wins in sprint races. On top of that, he is giving a real fight to a rider from the factory team – the reigning champion – all while being part of a satellite team.
These achievements and performances might lead Ducati to consider swapping Bastianini for Martín in 2024, especially if the Spaniard secures the title. For the rider, being with Pramac offers the advantage of being in a team he already knows well. He can also enjoy the strong factory support, despite not having the same pressure as being part of the official team.