Pramac Ducati hires Claudio Calabresi to take over from Francesco Guidotti, promotes Fonsi Nieto.
Following the departure of team manager Francesco Guidotti to KTM, Pramac Ducati has hired Claudio Calabresi as his replacement and promoted former grand prix winner Fonsi Nieto from Rider Coach to Sports Director.
Pramac enjoyed its best season in MotoGP during 2021, claiming the first ever race win by a satellite Ducati team with rookie Jorge Martin while Johann Zarco briefly led the world championship on his way to a new Pramac high of fifth overall.
Along the way, the team took eight podiums and five pole positions.
Calabresi arrives at Pramac with managerial experience from ‘a career in global energy companies, lastly as Executive Vice President Commercial Director of Eni Refining and Marketing, and his great passion for motorcycling’.
He has also been Pramac MotoE’s team manager since the project’s inception.
“Claudio’s growth within our team is the testimony of the esteem and confidence I have in him, and I am convinced that after three seasons as Team Manager in MotoE he will be up to this new and important challenge,” said Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti.
“We can’t wait to start this new adventure together, certain that Pramac Racing will be one of the top teams in the MotoGP and that next season will bring great satisfaction. The close collaboration with Fonsi will also guarantee us solid skills and experience from a sporting point of view.”
Calabresi added: “I am very proud that Paolo Campinoti thought of me for this position. We’ve been working together on different projects for several years and developed a strong relationship of respect and friendship.”
“Now a new chapter opens for me, where curiosity, passion and experience will be at full disposal of the team, with the greatest commitment to remain one of the most competitive teams in MotoGP.”
Pramac will field an unchanged MotoGP rider line-up this season and again have access to Ducati’s latest, GP22, machines.
While Pramac has moved quickly to fill the void left by Guidotti, Suzuki is yet to announce a replacement team manager following Davide Brivio’s departure one year ago, or if Brivio himself will return.
