During the Indonesian Grand Prix, Nadia Padovani, CEO and director of Gresini Racing, shared insights about hiring Marc Márquez for the upcoming season after his departure from Honda. She began by emphasizing that their success was not just luck. “You have to seek your fortune. If you show dedication and achieve results, it pays off. We are a close-knit family and truly care about our riders. True professionalism is reflected in these details,” she said.
She continued: “We made some strategic decisions, like hiring Marc’s brother, Álex. However, I would never have asked him to talk to Marc. It’s clear that the brothers may have discussed it among themselves. Being mentally aligned with a team is crucial.”
Nadia also highlighted the importance of the bike and the team behind it. “The bike is not the only factor. We have a team of professionals, from technicians to mechanics. If something wasn’t right, a rider of Marc’s caliber wouldn’t have joined us.”
Reflecting on Marc’s journey in MotoGP, she said: “Initially, I saw him as a spectator. He belongs to that generation of riders who are extremely competitive. I remember his battles with Valentino Rossi. Such riders are rare, and I watched his evolution over the years.”
Discussing the potential of winning the 2024 title with a MotoGP champion like Marc on her team, Nadia expressed her optimism, but also mentioned the challenges. “Of course, I would love to. But it’s hard to predict. I regretted leaving Fabio Di Giannantonio, a rider introduced to the world championship by my husband and who grew up with us.”
She also addressed the challenges of managing media speculation. “When the rumors started in Misano, we couldn’t confirm anything. There were so many variables at play. But as soon as Honda ended the contract, we could start making our moves.”
Concluding the interview, Nadia recalled the moment they signed the contract with Marc in Indonesia. With a big smile, she said: “To understand that moment, I asked him if it was real. I wanted to touch him to make sure! Even now, I don’t think I fully understand what happened.”
