Enea Bastianini is reportedly on the verge of joining Yamaha. The Tech3 rider has long been expected to move on.
What happened?
Bastianini ended last season 14th in the standings, managing just two podiums. He also lost his crew chief, Alberto Giribuola, who moved to Pramac.
Why it matters for Enea Bastianini
Over the winter, there were rumours linking Bastianini to Aprilia as a possible replacement for Jorge Martin. But Massimo Rivola is instead expected to go with Francesco Bagnaia as Marco Bezzecchi’s new partner.
Bastianini’s exit from Tech3 seems inevitable. He has already reached a half-deal with Yamaha, though it is still unclear whether he would join the factory squad or Pramac.
What comes next?
Both seats could open up, with Fabio Quartararo expected to move to Honda and Alex Rins facing an uncertain future. That could leave an opening for Bastianini to pair up with Martin.
Yamaha are also considering Luca Marini, but Bastianini is potentially the more attractive choice. The latter’s credentials include a Moto2 championship title in 2020, along with seven victories and 19 podium finishes in the premier class.
Guenther Steiner, the new Tech3 boss, faces the possibility of losing both his riders shortly after taking over from Herve Poncharal. Maverick Vinales is guaranteed a factory promotion as long as he meets expectations on track this year.
Brad Binder may end up swapping seats with Vinales, giving Steiner at least one experienced presence within his line-up. If Tech3 stick with KTM past this year, Binder could find himself paired with Daniel Holgado.
KTM have secured Alex Marquez as a replacement for Pedro Acosta, who is set to move from the factory team to Ducati. The Borgo Panigale manufacturer, however, is not rushing to finalize the deal.
Bastianini’s potential move to Yamaha could be a significant boost to his career, given his experience and credentials. His performance in the premier class has been impressive, with seven victories and 19 podium finishes.
The exact details of Bastianini’s deal with Yamaha are still unclear, but it is expected to be finalized soon. The move could have significant implications for the MotoGP grid, with several riders potentially changing teams.
Bastianini’s departure from Tech3 would be a significant loss for the team, but it could also create opportunities for other riders. The team’s new boss, Guenther Steiner, will have to navigate the challenges of the MotoGP grid to find the right replacement for Bastianini.
The MotoGP season is expected to be highly competitive, with several top riders competing for the championship. Bastianini’s move to Yamaha could be a key factor in the season’s outcome, given his experience and credentials.
The exact date of Bastianini’s move to Yamaha is still unclear, but it is expected to be finalized soon. The move could have significant implications for the MotoGP grid, with several riders potentially changing teams.
Bastianini’s performance in the premier class has been impressive, with seven victories and 19 podium finishes. His move to Yamaha could be a significant boost to his career, given his experience and credentials.
The MotoGP grid is highly competitive, with several top riders competing for the championship. Bastianini’s move to Yamaha could be a key factor in the season’s outcome, given his experience and credentials.