In the ultra-competitive world of MotoGP, a small Italian team based in Faenza is shaking up the factory giants: Gresini Racing. Since its return as an independent team, Gresini has racked up exploits, with nine victories since 2022, the last of which was won by Alex Marquez in 2025. With Marc Marquez leading the championship and his brother Alex lurking, how does this family-run outfit manage to compete with the giants?
Since returning to MotoGP as an independent team, Gresini Racing team has established itself as one of the best satellite teams on the grid. In 2022, Enea Bastianini immediately made an impression by winning the opening round in Qatar, before taking three more victories during the season. The following year, Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed his first ever MotoGP victory, confirming the team's potential.
But it is in 2024, with the arrival of Marc Marquez, that Gresini has truly taken on a new dimension. The six-time MotoGP world champion has won three races and given the team global visibility again. His brother Alex, a teammate within the structure, also shone by winning for the first time this season and is now fighting with Marc for the world title.
What makes this small structure based in Faenza so strong, compared to factory giants like Ducati, Yamaha ou Honda ? For Michele Masini, team director, the answer is clear: " It is the family atmosphere that reigns within Gresini Racing »
« Nadia Padovani proves with Gresini that a strong woman can also succeed in the leadership role in MotoGP »
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Masini Explain : " The atmosphere in the box is crucial. If you have a solid technical basis on the bike, The other key factor is the human environmentWhen drivers, engineers and mechanics are motivated, they give their all. »
This state of mind, forged over the years, is part of the heritage of Fausto GresiniThe former double 125cc world champion had decided to end his partnership with Aprilia before his death in 2021. His wife, Nadia Padovani, then took over the reins of the team in an uncertain context, with the support of Carlo Merlini for the commercial part.
Under Padovani's direction, Gresini chose to become an independent team again and rely on motorcycles Ducati, then the most competitive. A decisive choice according to Masini : " It was necessary to obtain the best machine available at the time. Moving to Ducati was a big step, and to date, it was the right decision »
This shift allowed the team to regain control of its destiny, with its own technical and human choices. Masini insists: “ Gresini Racing has 29 years of history in the paddock. We bring all that experience to this project. »
Padovani is today the only woman at the head of a team MotoGP. Yes Masini refuses to make it an exceptional subject, he recognizes its profound impact: " For me, Nadia is simply our boss, as Fausto was our boss. But it's important because it proves that a strong woman can also succeed in this role. »
He adds : " I was impressed to see her working daily in the office with unwavering determination. She knows people, she knows how to motivate. »
Since 2022, the team has won nine victories. And in 2025, with Alex Marquez regularly at the forefront, a world title now seems possible. Yes, I think it is possible. ", entrusts Masini. " You always have to dream big in this sportThe road to Valencia is still long, but why not? »
The course of Gresini Racing team embodies a unique model in MotoGP: that of a family-run, independent and ambitious team, capable of making the factory teams tremble. If the title were to materialize, it would be the crowning achievement of a project driven by the passion, commitment and memory of Fausto Gresini.
