2022 silly season: another piece of the puzzle falls

Another piece of the MotoGP™ silly season puzzle has fallen into place after confirmation of Jack Miller’s switch from a factory Ducati to a KTM from 2023. The Aussie follows in the footsteps of a number of other riders who have secured their futures, but there are still a lot of pieces in play.

Of course, a lot could indeed happen in just the next few weeks, so let’s start with what we know already. The following teams have confirmed both of their riders already.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ is the latest team to have locked in its line-up for 2023, with last year’s World Champion and current championship leader Fabio Quartararo signed on for two more season. The deal keeps Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli together for at least one year more, thanks to the contract which the Italian signed when he stepped up to the factory team last year.

Far and away the biggest improvers of 2022, Aprilia Racing announced new deals for Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley.

The Austrian manufacturer had become a key part of the silly season. With Brad Binder already signed up, the Austrian outfit have now confirmed the arrival of Jack Miller in the second factory seat. That means that Miguel Oliveira is on the lookout for a new seat, with the Portuguese rider’s future seemingly lying away from KTM after he rejected a switch to the Tech3 satellite side. Gresini Racing have been touted as a possible destination with Oliveira even confirming there have been talks recently.

That still leaves a lot of seats still up in the air. The following teams have one rider confirmed so far.

While Marc Marquez is still not halfway through his current, four-year deal, there is much intrigue about who will partner him at the Repsol Honda Team in 2023. Joan Mir is the favourite for the RC213V seat currently occupied by Pol Espargaro, who KTM might like to have back on an RC16.

The factory seat alongside Bagnaia is another big talking point. Two-time 2021 race winner Jack Miller seems unfazed about where he might end up next year, as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) waits in the wings and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) makes a strong case for a promotion with his three wins so far in 2022. This will be a big decision for Ducati.

The following teams have no one currently confirmed in their line-ups for the 2023 season.

Current riders: Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco

Current riders: Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami

Ai Ogura, who broke through for a first Moto2™ race win at this year’s Gran Premio Red Bull de España, has been rumoured to be making the step up to the premier class. Being an Idemitsu Honda Team Asia rider at present, he could well be elevated to LCR in 2023, while Oliveira has been linked with a switch to the squad.

Current riders: Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio

What happens at Gresini Racing will depend on what happens at the Ducati Lenovo Team and Prima Pramac Racing, but it should also be noted that Oliveira has been linked to this team too.

Current riders: Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi

Current riders: Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder

Alex Rins and Raul Fernandez have been linked to RNF Racing, which becomes Aprilia’s satellite team next year.

Current riders: Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez

With the European phase of the season now in full swing, the announcements are coming thick and fast. Stay tuned to motogp.com for all the latest!