2019 MotoGP Grid: Teams and pilots 
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The 11 team and 22 pilot – strong 2019 MotoGP grid, introduces some interesting changes for the upcoming season.  First of all, the top category of motorcycling this year will have three new rookies: Fabio Quartararo, Joan Mir (Suzuki) and ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia.

There has also been an important reshuffling among existing pilots, the most dramatic perhaps that of Jorge Lorenzo who has left Ducati to team up with Marc Marquez at Honda. These dance partners are sure to provide fans with some strong emotions.

Andrea Iannone has been forced to move from Suzuki to Aprilia, after Joan Mir left him without a seat in the Hamamatsu team. Other important driver movements for 2019 include the one of Johan Zarco to KTM from Tech3 and that of Danilo Petrucci to Ducati in replacement of Lorenzo. 

Also to note is the signing of Karel Abraham with Avintia Racing from the Aspar Team, and the arrival of Franco Morbidelli to the Yamaha SRT.

As for the Scuderias, Honda is already being referred to as the ‘dream team’, having no-doubt the strongest line up of the grid of MotoGP 2019. The Spanish couple has won all the titles of the last decade, except in 2011, when it went to Casey Stoner.

The key to grabbing the golden wing once again for the ‘dream team’ might be the managing of the tension which is likely to arise within their box. Lorenzo will have a slight disadvantage over Marquez as he will need an adjusting period to get to know his new bike, which the former knows in detail.

Another focus of contention in the new season will be Yamaha’s performance. The Japanese are keeping both their pilots (Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales) but have lost Movistar’s sponsorship.

Nonetheless, there are great expectations for the team to live a successful come-back. Their last Drivers and Constructors’ titles were in 2016 with Jorge Lorenzo.

Ducati has concocted a very promising combination of experience with Andrea Dovizioso and youth with ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia. The pilot and current runner-up from Forlimpopoli,  will lead the team after the departure of Lorenzo.

Another highlight of the 2019 MotoGP grid is the return of Tito Rabat, in the dry dock since his accident in Silverstone last year. The friendly pilot from Barcelona must come back the trust placed in him by Avintia Ducati. He certainly has what it takes and seems to be fully recovered.

Finally, there will also be some changes in some of the pilot’s numbers. Maverick Viñales will be leaving the number 25 to wear the number 12 while he looks to return to his sporting essence. The Italian Bagnaia will debut in MotoGP with the number 42, as the 63 is already taken.

 Here are 2019 MotoGP grid:

  • Repsol Honda: Marc Márquez (#93, Spain) – Jorge Lorenzo (#99, Spain).
  • Yamaha F.R.: Valentino Rossi (#46, Italy) – Mav. Viñales (nº 12, Spain).
  • Ducati Team: Andrea Dovizioso (#04, Italy) – Danilo Petrucci (#09, Italy).
  • Suzuki Ecstar: Alex Rins (#42, Spain) – Joan Mir (#36, Spain).
  • Aprilia Gresini: Aleix Espargaró (#41,Spain) – Andrea Iannone (#29, Italy).
  • Red Bull KTM: Pol Espargaró (#44, Spain) – Johann Zarco (#05, France).
  • LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow (#35, U.K.) – Takaaki Nakagami (#30, Japan).
  • Tech 3 KTM: Miguel Oliveira (#88, Portugal) – Hafizh Syahrin (#55, Malaysia).
  • Pramac R Ducati: ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia (#63, Italy) – Jack Miller (#43,Australia).
  • Yamaha SRT: Franco Morbidelli (#21, Italy) – Fabio Quartararo (#20, France).
  • Avintia Racing Ducati: Tito Rabat (#53, Spain) – Karel Abraham (#17, Czech Rep.).

Main image 2019 MotoGP grid: @MotoGP.

Text images: Box Repsol & Yamaha MotoGP.

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