The upcoming 2025 MotoGP season is set to bring a whirlwind of new dynamics to the grid, with no fewer than eleven riders pairing with new crew chiefs. This major shakeup highlights the importance of finding the right technical “sidekick” in a sport where the collaboration between rider and crew chief can make or break a championship bid. As teams finalize their strategies, riders like Marc Márquez, Enea Bastianini, and Maverick Viñales will be working with fresh faces in the garage, making the season a fascinating test of adaptation, trust, and technical prowess.
2024 saw significant changes, with six riders switching teams and Moto2 champion Pedro Acosta joining the grid. Notably, not one rider carried over their former crew chief into their new team setups, meaning every pairing had to start from scratch. For instance, Marc Márquez parted ways with his long-time collaborator Santi Hernandez after a 13-year partnership, dating back to Moto2. Joining Gresini Racing, Márquez found himself paired with Frankie Carchedi, a talented crew chief known for his work with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Joan Mir, whom he helped achieve a surprise 2020 championship with Suzuki.
In 2024, Márquez showed impressive form with Gresini, securing multiple podiums and victories. However, for 2025, he will experience yet another change as Marco Rigamonti—Enea Bastianini’s previous crew chief—steps in to guide Márquez’s Ducati performance. This is expected to bring new challenges and opportunities, as Rigamonti’s experience could provide Márquez with fresh insights to improve further in his second season with Ducati.
A few notable changes in the crew chief lineup are expected to redefine team strategies for 2025:
– Maverick Viñales to KTM Tech3 with José Manuel Cazeaux: Viñales is bringing along his trusted crew chief Cazeaux from Aprilia Racing to Red Bull KTM Tech3. This seasoned pairing aims to harness Cazeaux’s deep knowledge of Viñales’ strengths, which could elevate the Spaniard’s performance on KTM machinery.
– Enea Bastianini with Alberto Giribuola: Currently fourth in the championship standings, Bastianini will be supported by Giribuola, a veteran KTM crew chief. The duo’s potential lies in leveraging Giribuola’s expertise and Bastianini’s competitiveness to keep pace with top rivals.
– Jack Miller with Giacomo Guidotti: After a season of ups and downs with KTM, Miller is set to reunite with Giacomo Guidotti at Pramac Racing. Guidotti, who was with Honda in 2024, brings back years of experience that could be instrumental in refining Miller’s performance as he returns to familiar Pramac territory.
– Pedro Acosta and Paul Trevathan: Moto2 champion Acosta continues his collaboration with Paul Trevathan at GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3. Known for guiding Pol Espargaró to multiple KTM wins, Trevathan’s experience is invaluable for Acosta as he navigates his rookie MotoGP season.
The 2025 season will see eight brand-new crew chief pairings, alongside a few “reunions” where riders and crew chiefs rejoin forces. One major reunion to watch is Luca Marini partnering with Cristhian Pupulin, Jack Miller’s former crew chief. Marini, known for his potential and hunger for growth, has been vocal about wanting a new direction in the pit, and Pupulin’s experience could be the missing piece for his ambitions.
In another significant return, David Muñoz, formerly with Valentino Rossi, is back at Yamaha to support Álex Rins. Muñoz’s role will be critical in helping Rins maximize his Yamaha YZR-M1’s potential after a year where the Yamaha team struggled to match Ducati’s pace.
While many team positions have been finalized, the crew chief role for Miguel Oliveira at Pramac Racing remains under wraps. The team is keeping this a well-guarded secret, promising that Oliveira’s 2025 crew chief will be a surprising addition. This suspense has fueled intrigue among fans, with many speculating that Pramac might be planning an unexpected yet strategic move to support Oliveira’s competitive edge.
Similarly, Aprilia Racing has found Francesco Venturato, previously a performance engineer, to guide Marco Bezzecchi as his new crew chief. The choice of Venturato, who has a solid background with Aprilia, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to nurturing talent from within its ranks.
MotoGP 2025 Crew Chief and Rider Pairings: The Final Lineup
As the teams lock in their strategies and finalize technical staffing, here’s how the major MotoGP teams will look for 2025:
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
– Fabio Quartararo with Diego Gubellini
– Álex Rins with David Muñoz
Repsol Honda Team
– Joan Mir with Santi Hernandez
– Luca Marini with Cristhian Pupulin
Ducati Lenovo Team
– Marc Márquez with Marco Rigamonti
– Francesco Bagnaia with Cristian Gabarrini
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
– Brad Binder with Andres Madrid
– Pedro Acosta with Paul Trevathan
Aprilia Racing
– Marco Bezzecchi with Francesco Venturato
– Jorge Martin with Daniele Romagnoli
Prima Pramac Yamaha Racing
– Jack Miller with Giacomo Guidotti
– Miguel Oliveira’s crew chief – TBD
LCR Honda
–Johann Zarco with David Garcia
– Somkiat Chantra with Klaus Nohles
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Tech3
– Enea Bastianini with Alberto Giribuola
– Maverick Viñales with José Manuel Cazeaux
In MotoGP, a successful rider-crew chief relationship depends on trust, clear communication, and a shared vision for continuous improvement. With so many fresh partnerships, 2025 will undoubtedly be a season of adaptation. Each new crew chief pairing will be tested by the pressures of competition, and success will hinge on how quickly they can build synergy on the pit wall.
As MotoGP heads into a season marked by change, fans can expect a thrilling display of strategy, adaptation, and raw racing skill. The 2025 season promises new alliances, unexpected developments, and a fierce battle for supremacy among some of the world’s best riders and crew chiefs—an eventful dance on the racetrack where the chemistry behind the scenes may just make all the difference.
