Joan Mir will receive factory Ducati machinery when he joins Gresini for the 2027 MotoGP season, with the team’s official announcement confirming the Spaniard will inherit the factory support currently enjoyed by Alex Marquez.
The confirmation was included in Gresini’s announcement of its all-new rider lineup, which stated that “an official factory bike in the garage” would be available to the 2020 MotoGP world champion.
The arrangement means Mir will continue racing with factory-level technical backing despite leaving Honda for an independent Ducati squad.
Throughout his premier-class career, Mir has competed exclusively for factory teams, first with Suzuki and later Honda, before deciding to follow former teammate Marc Marquez in making the switch to Gresini.
Mir’s arrival also establishes a clear hierarchy within the Italian team.
His rookie teammate Dani Holgado, whose signing was announced earlier, is expected to ride a satellite-specification 850cc Ducati during his debut MotoGP campaign.
Although MotoGP introduces all-new 850cc technical regulations in 2027, factory-supported riders will continue to receive priority access to technical developments throughout the season.
That distinction remains important despite every manufacturer beginning development from a clean slate under the new rules.
Ducati currently applies a similar structure at VR46 Racing Team, where one rider receives factory equipment while the second competes with satellite machinery.
Alongside the rider announcements, Ducati also confirmed a new multi-year agreement extending its partnership with Gresini.
“We are pleased to confirm the continuation of the multi-year collaboration between Ducati Corse and the BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team,” Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna said.
“A relationship built over time, based on shared values, technical expertise and a common determination to pursue ambitious goals on track.”
Dall’Igna praised Gresini’s contribution to Ducati’s recent success and described the satellite team as an important component of the manufacturer’s long-term MotoGP project.
“The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP Team represents a key partner within our project and we will continue to work side by side with continuity, with the aim of furthering our shared growth journey,” he said.
Ducati has now confirmed four of its six MotoGP riders for 2027.
Marc Marquez will remain with the factory Lenovo Ducati team alongside incoming KTM rider Pedro Acosta, while Mir and Holgado will spearhead Gresini’s new lineup.
VR46 is expected to field Fermin Aldeguer, who departs Gresini, together with World Superbike championship leader Nicolo Bulega.
Meanwhile, Alex Marquez is widely expected to leave Ducati to join KTM’s factory squad as the premier class enters the new technical era.
