Prima Pramac Racing presents the new Ducati Desmosedici GP24 bike, along with its riders Jorge Martín and Franco Morbidelli, at the F1 GP in Bahrain. The team is on the starting blocks for the twenty-third year running, in the third year of the partnership with the tech company Prima Assicurazioni, which has become the title sponsor of the Team. After becoming the first Independent Team in history to top the world rankings as Best Team in 2023, Prima Pramac Racing is now looking to repeat that result by defending its world title in 2024. Bikes will be lining up for the first GP in Qatar on 10 March.
Prima Pramac Racing has chosen Bahrain for the presentation of the bike, with an exclusive partnership between the MotoGP team and the F1 championship. The new Ducati Desmosedici GP24 was unveiled this afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit in Manama, which on Saturday will be hosting the first Formula 1 Gran Prix of the season.
The two riders Jorge Martín and Franco Morbidelli – live on F1 TV, the official Formula 1 channel – appeared from the last bend on the circuit and headed for the paddock, where they were welcomed by journalists from all over the world, together with Prima Pramac racing Team Manager Gino Borsoi, Prima Pramac Racing Team Principal Paolo Campinoti, and the CEO of Prima Assicurazioni, George Ottathycal.
The Team in the red and purple livery will be present on the starting blocks with fresh ambitions, following its Team World Champion title in 2023 – a historic first for an independent team – and the excellent season of Jorge Martín, who was in the running for the title of Riders’ Champion right up until the last race, and took home the title of Best Independent Rider. The Spaniard, about to ride his Ducati Prima Pramac for the fourth consecutive year, ended the last season with four GP and nine sprint race victories, totalling 22 spots on the podium (including sprint races).
Riding along with Martin this year will be the Italo-Brazilian Franco Morbidelli, forming a tricolour combo with the Italian bike. The 2017 Moto2 World Champion joins Prima Pramac Racing this year with a burning desire to do well and to demonstrate his potential.
Both riders will have the “factory” version of the Ducati Desmosedici GP24. This is the Team’s twenty third consecutive year in MotoGP, and the third year of the partnership with the tech company Prima Assicurazioni as title sponsor. The first race of this increasingly competitive world championship is scheduled for 10 March, in Qatar.
Paolo Campinoti, Prima Pramac Racing Team Principal: “Our aim this year is to remain at the top, following the extraordinary results achieved in last year’s Championship. By coming second in the Riders’ Championship and winning the Team World Champion title, we made history as an independent team. 2024 will be an important championship for us: it’ll be a tough call to improve on the last season, but we’re determined to do our very best”.
George Ottathycal, CEO of Prima Assicurazioni:"2023 was an extremely successful year for Prima. Our insurance premium business registered double-digit growth once more, with more than 3 million active clients, and the success of the sports team was the icing on the cake. Here at Prima, our partnership with the Pramac team and its MotoGP victories means exactly the same to us as our success in the world of insurance, so we can’t wait for the start of this new season and a return to all the excitement and adrenalin only this sport can bring. The whole Team is incredibly motivated, and I’m convinced they’ll be able to repeat – or even better– last year’s fabulous season, with Jorge Martín who had us on the edge of our seats until the very last GP”.
Gino Borsoi, Team Manager at Prima Pramac Racing: “We’re going into this new season with confidence and conviction. For the first time, after three years, we’ll be presenting a new rider on the team. This is an exciting challenge for us, one we’ll be seeking to rise to with determination, focus and enthusiasm. I have great confidence in the potential of Jorge Martín, and I’m sure that Franco Morbidelli will give his all to bring us the utmost satisfaction, embodying the work ethic and spirit of sacrifice that is the hallmark of Prima Pramac Racing. The team is ready to tackle the new season with determination and ambition, with two talented riders that have major achievements in their sights".
Jorge Martín, Prima Pramac Racing rider:“2023 was a fantastic year, packed with great results and satisfaction. All that was missing was the icing on the cake right at the end, and I’ll be doing my best to make sure 2024 is even better. I know I’m seen as one of the title candidates even before the season kicks off: this kind of pressure is reserved for only a few riders, and being one of them motivates me even more. I’m part of a team that has everything it takes to make a difference: the bike, the people, and the mindset. Together, we’re starting this season with the determination to take the top spot”.
Franco Morbidelli, Prima Pramac Racing rider:“2024 is a turning point in my career. I’m joining a team that last year was in the running for the Riders’ Championship title right up until the last race, and took home the Team title. So there are all the ingredients for this to be a memorable season. Unfortunately for me 2024 started with a fall that forced me to miss the pre-season tests, but I’ve now recovered, and I can’t wait to really get to know the Ducati Desmosedici GP24 and to achieve plenty of important results with it.”.