Which test pilots for each factory in 2025?

This week, Lorenzo Savadori renewed his contract with Aprilia, while Augusto Fernandez finally made his signing with Yamaha official, to become a test rider. The opportunity to take stock of the test team numbers of each brand for the 2025 season of MotoGP.

At Ducati, Michele Pirro has a contract until the end of 2026. His commitment to Borgo Panigale is however less important since the introduction of the new MotoGP manufacturer concessions. Scooping more than 85% of the available points, the Bologna factory is considered a Tier A manufacturer. As such, the brand cannot field a Wildcard rider during the season. The Italian is therefore limited to Ducati's private and official tests.

On the KTM side, Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro will continue to serve. A C-tier manufacturer, like Aprilia, the brand can field three Wildcards per half-season. In 2024, the Austrian factory also had Jonnas Folger. Author of a podium in 19 Grands Prix contested in the premier class. A contract that has not yet been renewed, however, and which may not be.

As mentioned above, Lorenzo Savadori will still be an Aprilia test rider in 2025. The Italian has just agreed with the brand on a two-year contract. Wildcard on a few occasions, and replacing an injured Miguel Oliveira at the end of the season, Savadori will therefore still be in the paddock until the end of 2026.

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What about Yamaha and Honda?

On the side of the two Japanese factories, the workforce has been reinforced this year. Yamaha and Honda are the two D-tier manufacturers on the grid. As such, they have many advantages. In particular, they can test at any time on any circuit, using any rider. Whether the latter is a regular rider or a factory rider.

To rest its squad, as the seasons are getting longer and longer, Honda has signed Takaaki Nakagami, ex-LCR rider. The Japanese will be joined by Aleix Espargaro, a recent retiree and ex-Aprilia rider. These two riders will share the work with Stefan Bradl, who until now has done every test and Wildcard for Honda.

On the Yamaha side, there is also something new. This season, Cal Crutchlow was unable to do the job, due to an injury. Remy Gardner, Yamaha rider in Superbike, therefore completed the Iwata Wildcard. With Andrea Dovisiozo, he also carried out private tests for the brand.

Crutchlow is expected to retain his status next year, however. He will not be racing MotoGP for Yamaha again, as Augusto Fernandez will be signed as a wildcard rider, and will also be Yamaha and Pramac's designated replacement in the event of the absence of one of the regular riders.