The MotoGP paddock has six satellite teams on the grid for the 2026 season, and the balance doesn’t want to change going forward.
As it stands, every manufacturer on the MotoGP grid has at least a satellite team, but at the moment Ducati They have two satellite teams at each level.
The Italian manufacturer has provided their MotoGP machines for Gresini and also for VR46 racing team For the 2026 season, Yamaha, Honda, Aprilia and KTM all have satellite teams with only their factory teams.
This dynamic requires satellite teams to sign new agreements with manufacturers for the 2027 season.
However, it looks like the MotoGP Sports Entertainment team (formerly Dorna Sports) doesn’t want that to change in the future.
There should be a minimum of one satellite group per manufacturer
The dynamics of MotoGP’s satellite teams were discussed on the Paddock Pass podcast, with Neil Morrison of the MotoGP Sports Entertainment team saying they want every manufacturer to have at least one satellite team by 2027.
It’s no secret that the satellite teams are looking for the best machines for their riders, which has led many teams to discuss the possibility of signing with Ducati. Tech3.
However, MotoGP bosses have put a hold on such deals to preserve the ‘current balance’ of satellite teams in the sport.
“I know Dorna[MotoGP Sports Entertainment team]want to maintain the current balance of at least one satellite team per manufacturer,” Morrison said.
“We know Guenther Steiner gave an interview when they invested in Tech 3 and he said something about switching to Ducati. But Pete Bier was very emphatic about wanting them to stay with KTM.”
The VR46 racing team could leave Ducati at the end of 2026.
Valentino Rossi will team up with Ducati as he moves his VR46 racing team into the premier class in 2021, leaving his half-brother Luca Marini in the series.
The Italian has since kept his team with the Italian manufacturer, but after six seasons, he could switch allegiance to the VR46 Racing team for 2027.
There are reports that Aprilia and VR46 are in talks to join forces in 2027. And will supply two Aprilia RS-GPs to the Rossi team, ending his time with Ducati.
This creates confusion for the MotoGP satellite teams and leaves Ducati with two fewer bikes on the grid, dropping them from six to four.
