Yamaha is said to be continuing to monitor Jorge Martin’s condition. The Japanese manufacturer is eyeing Martin, who is currently the main racer for the Pramac Racing satellite team. As is known, Martin twice failed to be promoted to the factory Ducati team and has emphasized that if in 2025 he is still not in the factory squad then he will leave Ducati.
Yamaha is reportedly preparing a budget to tempt Martin. It is even said that this salary problem could make the rider at Pramac Racing, Jorge Martin, leave Ducati. Mauro Grassilli, who replaced Paolo Ciabatti as Ducati Sports Director this year, said decisions regarding Martin’s future would be economic as well as sporting.
Grassilli said that Martin is one of the most talented Ducati riders currently. If he decides to leave Ducati, there will definitely be many other manufacturers waiting. If Martin is after money then he could move to Yamaha. Because moving from the Ducati satellite team to the factory team will result in an increase in salary.
That is currently being felt by Luca Marini who moved from VR46 Racing to Honda. It is not yet clear whether if Martin really intends to go to Yamaha then who will be evicted. “In Iwata they are preparing a budget,” wrote Crash to illustrate Yamaha’s seriousness to Martin. But apart from money, Yamaha’s challenge is to present a competitive motorbike.
Currently Yamaha is facing extra pressure to improve the capabilities of the YZR-M1. Moreover, the main racer, Fabio Quartararo, said that this year’s motorbike was no better than before.
As is known, Yamaha relies heavily on Quartararo, who has the status of World Champion in 2021. On the other hand, Quartararo is a racer who is vocal in his criticism of Yamaha. Meanwhile, this season Yamaha hijacked Alex Rins from LCR Honda.
Ducati itself has confirmed the arrival of Fermin Aldeguer in 2025, and although it has not confirmed which team he will be placed at, it is likely to be Pramac. That means next season the position of Martin or his teammate Franco Morbidelli will be under threat.