The Ducati satellite squad enters its 10th season in the premier class in 2021, fielding reigning Moto2 world champion Enea Bastianini and series runner-up Luca Marini in an all-new line-up.

Marini – half-brother to MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi – will be backed by the VR46 team in his debut season, and will run the outfit’s livery, having unveiled it during Italy’s version of the X Factor late last year.

Bastianini’s 2019-spec Ducati will be run in revised Avintia colours, unveiled at the team’s virtual launch event on Instagram on Friday evening.

Avintia’s first season as an official Ducati satellite (having previously been merely a customer team) netted it its first-ever MotoGP podium, courtesy of Pramac-bound Johann Zarco in last year’s Czech Grand Prix.

The team will continue to have some technical support from Ducati, though both riders will be on two-year-old bikes owing to the freeze on engine development brought in as part of COVID-19 cost-saving measures.

Avintia’s future beyond the 2021 season remains unclear, with team owner Raul Romero admitting to Motorsport.com last year he will not renew with Dorna Sports for 2022 and beyond.

This came amidst speculation VR46 could take over Avintia’s grid slots for 2021 – something which will be easier in 2022 at the dawn of a new contract period between MotoGP and the teams.

With Marini running VR46 colours and elements of the VR46 team set to join him at Avintia this year, this only strengthens the team’s prospects of stepping up properly in 2022.

From here, the launches come thick and fast, with the works Ducati squad the next to show off their 2021 colours 9 February, before KTM unwraps its factory and Tech3 liveries on 12 February.

The 2021 MotoGP season is due to start on 28 March with the Qatar GP, with a second race at Losail added to the schedule following the postponement of the US and Argentine GPs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pic: Sky Sports

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The 2021 season is set to get underway on 28 March with the Qatar Grand Prix, before the Doha GP – a recent addition to the calendar – at the same Losail International Circuit takes place a week later.

MotoGP, however, will be present in Qatar for almost the entirety of March currently, with five days of pre-season testing from 5-12 March for the premier class and three days from 19-21 March for Moto2 and Moto3 scheduled.

Currently, Qatar’s COVID-19 travel protocols dictate any arrivals into the country have to serve a minimum six-day quarantine period before being allowed out on the seventh day so long as two negative PCR test results are obtained.

MotoGP’s protocol will allow the entire paddock to bypass this quarantine period if they can show a negative COVID-19 test obtained in their origin country.

Upon arrival in Qatar, all paddock members will be tested again before being transferred to their hotels while awaiting the results of the second PCR test.

From this point, the bubble protocols which the paddock operated with to maintain social distancing and stop group mixing last year will come into effect.

Anyone who leaves the country before the first race must undergo the same steps as mentioned above before being allowed into the paddock.

MotoGP had planned to do something similar in Malaysia for the Sepang pre-season test this month, before it was ultimately cancelled after the country declared a state of emergency owing to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

As well as two races in Qatar, the third round of the season will now take place in Portugal in early April after the US and Argentine GPs were postponed to an unspecified date at the end of the year.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson from the Buriram circuit in Thailand told Motorsport.com reports the country’s grand prix had been cancelled this year were a result of a “misunderstanding”.

While further calendar revisions are likely as the world currently faces a second wave of COVID-19 infections, on Tuesday the Brno circuit confirmed a lack of funding meant it could not carry out required track works and has had to cancel its MotoGP event for 2021.

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The double 125cc world champion and veteran MotoGP team boss was taken ill with COVID-19 just before Christmas and was taken to hospital in Imola.

As his condition worsened he was transferred to a specialist COVID care ward in Bologna just before the new year, where he was placed into a medically-induced coma and hooked up to a ventilator to aid breathing. 

In early January doctors slowly brought him out of the coma, though was kept under sedation and on a ventilator.

Having shown small signs of improvement over the coming days, Gresini was put back under sedation last week as the virus continued to seriously affect his lungs. 

On Monday, the Gresini team has issued a brief update stating the Italian is still on a ventilator but his blood oxygen levels are steadily progressing, but will still require treatment for some time.

“Minor but comforting news on the state of health of Fausto Gresini, who has been hospitalised for over three weeks at the Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi hospital in Bologna,” the statement began.

 “Doctor Nicola Cilloni [said]: “Fausto Gresini’s general clinical conditions are fragile, but slowly and progressively improving. 

“He is conscious and combative. Radiological and laboratory tests also go in the same direction. 

“He still needs to be supported by the mechanical ventilator, but blood oxygenation is progressively improving. 

“He started physiotherapy to rehabilitate both breathing and muscles. 

“He remains in critical and fragile condition with a long path of treatment, but the direction taken in recent days makes the prognosis, still reserved, more optimistic.” 

Much of the world is currently gripped by a second wave of the virus, with new, more infectious variants causing a surge in cases across the globe and necessitating stricter control measures. 

This has had an impact on MotoGP already, with the Sepang pre-season test in Malaysia due to be held next month being cancelled due a state of emergency being declared in the country.

MotoGP issued a revised calendar last week, with two races set to take place in Qatar now followed by the third round taking place in Portugal, and the American and Argentine Grands Prix being postponed. 

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MotoGP issued a provisional 20-race calendar for 2021 late last year, though delays and postponements were expected as the COVID-19 situation worsened across the world over the winter.

Earlier this month MotoGP announced it had to cancel the Sepang pre-season test set for February after a state of emergency was declared in Malaysia due to the virus.

A meeting between teams and MotoGP was held last week, with date changes for the start of the season discussed.

Once such proposal was to bring the Qatar GP forward to the 21 March date to bring it closer to the end of pre-season testing and avoid clashing with Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix on the same 28 March date.

However, MotoGP has announced the season will still get underway as planned on 28 March with the Qatar GP, followed by the Doha GP at the same Losail International Circuit on 4 April.

The Portuguese GP will then follow on 18 April, before the currently scheduled run of races that was originally meant to begin the European season on 2 May with the Spanish GP at Jerez gets under way.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US and Argentine GPs have been postponed from their April slots to the last quarter of the year – but currently have no new provisional dates.

No other date changes have been announced at this time, though the vacant TBD slot in August vacated by the axed Czech GP no longer appears on the calendar and Russia’s Igora Drive is not listed as a reserve circuit anymore.

A statement from MotoGP read: “The FIM, IRTA (teams’ association) and Dorna Sports can now reveal an updated calendar for the 2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship as the beginning of another exciting season of racing appears on the horizon, with testing action set to get underway in just over a month.

“The season opening grand prix in Qatar remains confirmed for the 26 to 28 March and it will now be followed by a second event, the Grand Prix of Doha, at the same Losail International Circuit the following weekend, from the 2 to 4 April.

“The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal will then host the third round of the Championship from the 16 to 18 April before the paddock heads to the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto as previously planned.

“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns and complications sadly oblige the postponement of both the Argentina GP and the Americas GP until the last quarter of 2021.

“Any further updates or changes will be provided as soon as available.”

Due to the cancellation of the Sepang test, MotoGP will hold two extra days at Losail on 6-7 March ahead of the original final test at the circuit on 10-12 March.

It is unclear yet whether these races will be open to spectators and whether media will be allowed access.

2021 MotoGP calendar:

Date	Venue
28 March	Losail
4 April	Losail
18 April	Algarve
2 May	Jerez
16 May	Le Mans
30 May	Mugello
6 June	Barcelona
20 June	Sachsenring
27 June	Assen
11 July	KymiRing
15 August	Red Bull Ring
29 August	Silverstone
12 September	Aragon
19 September	Misano
3 October	Motegi
10 October	Buriram
24 October	Phillip Island
31 October	Sepang
14 November	Valencia

Postponed Grands Prix to be rescheduled subject to the pandemic:

Republica Argentina – Termas de Rio Hondo
Americas –  Circuit of the Americas

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The Japanese manufacturer announced last week Brivio would be stepping down from his role as team manager after eight years, with Motorsport.com revealing he is set to become CEO of the Alpine Formula 1 team.

Suzuki won’t replace Brivio in 2021, with Sahara instead taking on some of his responsibilities as part of an internal restructuring.

In an interview released by Suzuki, Sahara says the “love” for the brand will continue to drive the MotoGP team onwards in 2021 despite Brivio’s exit and doesn’t believe it will affect preparations for the coming season.

“When Davide told all the team staff, everybody was shocked, of course,” Sahara said.

“But before long we turned our minds towards the next steps to overcome this situation together.

“We will be more united than ever because we all love this brand, this team, and we will give 150% to carry on with the new challenges in the best way.

“In my opinion it should not affect anything from now on. We will be working as we know how, and even more than before now that we’ve won the championship.

“Our attitude has never changed: we will aim to fight for the title again with our two strong riders [Joan] Mir and [Alex] Rins.”

Brivio helmed Suzuki from 2013 ahead of its MotoGP return in 2015, and helped guide it to its first world title in 20 years courtesy of Mir last season.

Both Mir and Rins thanked Brivio on social media last week for giving them the opportunity to join Suzuki, with Brivio a devout believer in promoting and nurturing young talent.

Despite being an instrumental figure in their careers at Suzuki, Sahara doesn’t believe Brivio’s departure will have much effect on either Mir or Rins during the 2021 season.

“It will not affect our riders’ ability to fight for the championship,” Sahara added. “We are already champions and we have two young, talented and great riders.

“They know how to deal with troubles or difficult situations and manage the pressure all the time.

“I’m not worried at all from this point of view. They are both super professional and ready for the 2021 championship.”

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Suzuki confirmed last week long-time team manager Brivio would be leaving the Japanese manufacturer having helmed the squad for the past eight years.

This came days after Motorsport.com revealed Brivio would be quitting Suzuki to take on the role of CEO of the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team in 2021 – though this is yet to be made official by Alpine and Renault.

Brivio brought Rins to Suzuki in 2017, with the Spaniard winning three races since and aiding the marque to the teams’ title last season.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Motorsport.com’s Spanish language MotoGP podcast, Rins revealed he found out about Brivio’s departure a day before the announcement and admits it took him by surprise.

“If I’m honest, I experienced the news all at once without barely knowing it,” Rins said of Brivio’s exit.

“He called me the day before it was announced. He told me he was leaving the team.

“At first I thought it was a joke, but it’s true and I was very surprised.

“He has done an incredible job for Suzuki and now a new adventure begins for him.”

Rins added: “We had and have a very good relationship. The truth is that I am super-grateful for everything he has done over the years and for having given me the opportunity in 2017 after a hard year [in Moto2] with many injuries, and that he continues to trust me.”

Motorsport.com reported on Tuesday Suzuki will not seek out a replacement for Brivio in 2021, instead opting for an internal restructure to share around Brivio’s former responsibilities.

Brivio’s impact on Suzuki has been immense, but Rins doesn’t foresee his exit having a dramatic impact on the “harmony” of the team.

“What it may affect or not, I don’t know,” he said.

“But of course there will be a void, the one that Davide occupied. It will surely [have an] effect, but I think not negatively.

“The harmony with the team is incredible and that, in part, he has also achieved. It will change because that figure of Davide will not be there, but not much.”

On Tuesday MotoGP announced its Sepang pre-season test had been cancelled because of COVID-19, though the three-day Qatar test in March is still on at present.

Rins admits the news came as a shock, but doesn’t believe only having the Qatar test will disadvantage him that much given the 2020 GSX-RR will carry over to this season as part of COVID cost-saving measures introduced last year.

“If you tell me that we have to start the year with a new engine, a new chassis, it would be more complicated,” said Rins.

“But starting the season with last year’s bike, I think three days of testing in Qatar is enough.

“At least for me; I don’t know if it will be as ideal for riders like Pol [Espargaro] or [Danilo] Petrucci, who have to get on a new bike.

“But in my case I think we have enough.”

Rins also revealed he did not undergo surgery in the off-season after all on the shoulder he injured at the Spanish Grand Prix in July, having floated the idea at the end of last season.

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Motorsport.com revealed last week Brivio was to leave his post at Suzuki to take on the role of CEO of the Alpine F1 team this year.

Suzuki confirmed Brivio’s departure from the role he has held since 2013 last Thursday, though Alpine is yet to announce its own plans.

With pre-season testing just over a month away, and Brivio’s decision made recently, Suzuki has been left with little time to find a new team manager – though largely unsubstantiated rumours of potential replacements still swirled over the past week.

Motorsport.com understands Suzuki will not pursue a new signing in the short or medium-term and will reorder its current management structure.

This will ensure the continuity within Suzuki’s ranks which helped it to its first MotoGP world title in 20 years last season remains.

Current Suzuki senior figures will share the responsibilities held by Brivio when he was team manager in 2021, with it looking likely Suzuki project leader Shinichi Sahara and technical director Ken Kawauchi will shoulder much of the role Brivio previously held.

Brivio spent 20 years with Yamaha in World Superbikes and MotoGP from 2000 to 2010, holding the position of team manager with Yamaha’s factory MotoGP squad from 2002.

In 2013, Brivio took on the role of Suzuki team manager ahead of its return to MotoGP in 2015 after financial woes forced it to quit after the 2011 season.

Within two years, Brivio had guided Suzuki to being race winners again when Maverick Vinales cruised to victory at the 2016 British Grand Prix.

Last year, Mir took his GSX-RR to the brand’s first world title in the modern era, while both he and teammate Alex Rins helped secure the teams’ championship for Suzuki.

Both Mir and Rins will remained with Suzuki in 2021 after agreeing to a new two-year deal ahead of the 2020 season.

Pre-season testing is due to get underway in Malaysian on 19-21 February – though the declaration of a state of emergency in the country owing to a rapid rise in COVID-19 infections may force a change of plans.

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The 2019 Moto2 world champion tested for LCR in Valencia last year ahead of his factory team debut in 2020, and will work with ex-Cal Crutchlow crew chief Christophe Bourguignon in 2021.

Honda made its decision to move Marquez to LCR as a factory-contracted rider before he’d made his MotoGP debut at the Repsol-backed outfit, but Marquez has never felt like the move was hasty.

After a difficult start to 2020, Marquez came on strong in the second half of the year and scored Honda’s only podiums with a brace of seconds at the French and Aragon Grands Prix.

When asked if he felt like moving to LCR would be a reset after the progress he made at the factory Honda team, Marquez said: “No, I don’t think I will start from zero. I will have the technician, ‘Beefy’, who has a lot of experience, and everybody in Honda is speaking so good about him.

“Also, from [the] data [side] coming is David Garcia, my technician in Moto2.

“So, already I know him really well and he can also help ‘Beefy’, and they can make a good tandem to know me a bit earlier and for ‘Beefy’ I think it will be so positive to have on my side because he knows me really good.

“I know all the people. I meet them in Portimao, but already from the past I know everybody. Everything looks like it can switch really nice, and I’m looking forward to being in a team where maybe everything is a little bit more calm and the pressure also is more calm.

“So, I think it can help me to take the experience and keep working like we did in the second part of the season.”

COVID-19 permitting, the 2021 season is set to consist of 20 races, with Marquez having only ridden at seven of those venues currently slated to host events on a MotoGP bike.

But, when asked by Motorsport.com if he had to treat 2021 as a second part to his rookie season, Marquez feels the experience he gained this year will be enough to be able to adjust to unfamiliar tracks quickly.

“This is a little bit strange, because in some tracks that I wasn’t there [before] I was really fast from the beginning, the first run of FP1,” he said.

“So, it depends on the track, how you switch on at that track and how you manage that situation.

“But no, it won’t be like a rookie season. Already I have experience and already I know the bike and I know a little bit the secrets how to manage a MotoGP weekend, because it’s so difficult to manage the tyres, how to manage both bikes, you can play with the set-up on both bikes.

“So, will be interesting to hopefully go to all the tracks to take the experience, but I have experience.

“I clicked in the second part of the season, so the important thing will be to keep that click and always be in the top eight.”

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After 15 seasons together, Rossi’s time at the factory Yamaha squad came to an end at the conclusion of the 2020 campaign, with the nine-time world champion remaining a factory-contracted rider with Petronas next year on current-spec machinery.

Though Jarvis admits Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales will lead some of the development at the factory squad, but doesn’t believe Rossi “moving next door” will change his role much from what it has been previously at Yamaha.

“He’s done 15 seasons with the Yamaha factory team. That’s quite extraordinary,” Jarvis said of Rossi’s time with Yamaha.

“He did it in two stints, first seven years [from 2004-2010] before he took a two-year break [to join Ducati from 2011-2012] and then eight years when he came back [in 2013]. 

“So, it will be a change, there’s no doubt because moving next door as such will be different. But on the other side, it will not be different because Valentino will get full factory support next year.

“He’ll be riding a factory bike with the same spec as the factory riders. It is true that some of the development will be led more by the factory team, but Valentino is a very important part of our data gathering. 

“Having more riders on the track is important and there’s no question our engineers will be looking at the data of Fabio, Maverick and Valentino to develop and further progress the factory bike. 

“But also, we get some interesting information as well from having Franky [Morbidelli] out there [on the older bike].

“So, I think that it will be not a huge change, it will not be a deficit in any case ,and it will not change very much how we develop the bike.”

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The Petronas SRT rider finished the 2020 season as top Yamaha rider in second in the standings with three wins, equal on victories with teammate Fabio Quartararo despite riding the older ‘A-spec’ M1 instead of the factory-spec 2020 bike.

Morbidelli was the most consistent Yamaha rider across the campaign, with the 2020 M1 riders only tallying up one further win courtesy of Maverick Vinales and three other podiums combined.

Despite this, Yamaha has once again elected against upgrading Morbidelli’s equipment having taken away the 2020 bike he was meant to ride this year before testing. 

All three 2020 M1 riders were very critical of the bike, with Quartararo admitting last month he’d like to see if he could race the 2019 bike – which is essentially what Morbidelli is riding – next year. 

Given the problems the factory riders have had this year, Morbidelli feels keeping his current package won’t offer him any greater benefit compared to his stablemates as it can’t be developed.

“No, because a new bike can develop,” he said when asked if keeping his ‘A-spec’ bike for 2021 would offer him better chances of top results compared to the current factory bike. 

“You can work on it, you can develop it, you can make modifications, the factory is working on a direction of developing.

“My bike is that one, it’s that. I need to take out the maximum from it, from that package.

“Of course, there are some items that I can pick up from the factory and try to adapt to my bike

“But I always say that the latest bike is the best one because of this reason because you can and all the energies of the factory are on that package, are on that thing in order to make it grow and develop it. 

“The newest and the latest bike is one with the most margin [to improve], my one is the one least margin.” 

When asked if he was happy to remain on the ‘A-spec’ bike next year, he replied: “Yeah, I am.” 

Morbidelli will remain with SRT for at least the next two seasons, with mentor Valentino Rossi joining him as a factory-supported rider in 2021.

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