The roster of Esponsorama Racing for the MotoGP 2021 season has been finalized with the confirmation that Valentino Rossi’s half-brother Luca Marini and his colleague Moto2 star Enea Bastianini will take the step
Marini will race in the colors of Rossi’s Sky Racing Team VR46 operation as part of the agreement with the Andorra and Ducati team
The Italian marque had elevated Esponsorama to satellite status ahead of the current season, in conjunction with the placement in the squad of Johann Zarco, who moves to Pramac Racing next year
Tito Rabat, his colleague leaving Esponsorama, however lost his race despite a contract for 2021
Bastianini and Marini are currently second and third respectively in the Moto2 championship, with three wins each this season
“Having this great opportunity and being able to share it with Sky Racing Team VR46, Esponsorama Racing and Ducati is even better
“During these years with the team, I gained experience, I grew and I obtained the first important results
« We are in a crucial phase of the season, we will continue to work hard to reach the maximum goal before taking this big step together »
His Italian compatriot Bastianini said: « I am very happy to be entering MotoGP with Ducati and Esponsorama Racing
« Now I have to focus on the end of the season because I would like to become World Champion, although I know it will not be easy
« Next season, several riders will make the jump to MotoGP, we will start a new adventure with the fastest riders in the world in which I think that with the team I will be able to achieve good results »
Bastianini, 22, and Marini, 23, will make three Ducati rookies next year after Jorge Martin was named the other Pramac rider for 2021 a little over a month
« We are very happy to have concluded this agreement thanks to which two young Italian talents will be able to make their MotoGP debut next year on our Desmosedici GP motorcycles entrusted to the Esponsorama Racing team, » said the general manager of Ducati Corse, Luigi Dall’Igna
« This year Raul Romero’s team has shown that they have achieved an excellent level of professionalism Thanks to the renewed technical support that we will provide to the Andorra team in 2021, we are sure that they will support Enea and Luca in the best possible way in their first rookie season
“Bastianini and Marini have been very competitive in Moto2 this year, and we are sure that the time has come for them to switch to MotoGP
« We will provide them with all the support they need to accompany them on their way to the top category
“With this decision, Ducati intends to continue its strategy of promoting young talent, which has already led Pecco Bagnaia to make his MotoGP debut with Pramac Racing in 2019 and to achieve an important goal for 2021: to wear the colors of the ‘official Ducati team «
Bagnaia will join Jack Miller at the Ducati Team factory next year after his first two seasons in the premier class, at Pramac
Zarco was Ducati’s top qualifier for this weekend’s European Grand Prix, placing his GP19 fourth on the grid
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Moto Grand Prix, Luca Marini, Reale Avintia Racing, Enea Bastianini, Valentino Rossi, Ducati, Moto2
News from around the world – AU – Rossi’s half-brother lands a MotoGP seat – Speedcafe
