Gresini Racing is bringing back the memory of Marco Simoncelli with a special livery at the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend. The team's two riders, Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, will race the Ducati Desmosedici GP in the iconic colors that Simoncelli used during his tenure with the team in 2010 and 2011. The livery was unveiled on Thursday evening at the circuit, attended by Paolo Simoncelli, Marco's father, as well as Carmelo and Carlos Ezpeleta, designer Aldo Drudi, and the entire Gresini Racing team led by Nadia Padovani.
A Tribute to Simoncelli
Simoncelli made his MotoGP debut in 2010 with Fausto Gresini's team, which ran Honda machinery at the time. Over two seasons, he claimed two podiums and became one of the most charismatic figures in the paddock. Tragedy struck on October 23, 2011, when Simoncelli lost his life at the age of 24 in an accident at the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. A year later, the Misano circuit was officially renamed Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in his honor.
“#Gresini30Seasons returns to Misano and this tribute was as sincere as it was inevitable,” the team stated. “This Sunday, the bikes of Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer will be entirely dedicated to the machine that accompanied Marco Simoncelli during his tragically short MotoGP career.”
Strong Bond with Misano
Simoncelli rode his final home Grand Prix at Misano in 2011, finishing fourth. Since then, the bond between Gresini Racing, Simoncelli, and the Italian circuit has remained strong. This special livery is part of Gresini Racing's 30th-anniversary celebrations. Earlier, at the German Grand Prix, the team also ran a special livery paying tribute to Sete Gibernau and his 2003 Sachsenring victory. Additionally, the team regularly honors founder Fausto Gresini, a two-time 125cc world champion who passed away in 2021.
For the fans in the grandstands, the moment Marquez and Aldeguer take to the track in Simoncelli's colors will be an emotional reminder of a figure who left a deep mark on the hearts of MotoGP fans. This livery is not merely aesthetic; it is a symbol of tribute and living memory. When the lights go out on Sunday, those iconic colors will once again hit the asphalt at the circuit that bears Simoncelli's name, carrying his spirit and legacy to the current generation of riders.
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