FIRST LOOK: Pramac Ducati’s 2023 MotoGP livery for Zarco, Martin

After two seasons without a title sponsor, Insurance agency Prima joined Pramac from Mugello last year, resulting in purple taking over from red as the dominant colour on the team’s Desmosedicis.

The amount of purple on the lower part of the bike has been reduced for the 2023 livery, unveiled by continuing team-mates Zarco and Martin on Wednesday, alongside the traditional Pramac red and white.

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Pramac was again the top satellite squad last season, courtesy of fourth in the teams’ championship.

However, Johann Zarco slipped from fifth to eighth in the riders’ standings while Jorge Martin was unable to repeat his race-winning heroics as a 2021 rookie on the way to ninth.

Nevertheless, Zarco and Martin stood on the podium four times each and, with Enea Bastianini picked in favour of Martin for the factory ride, remain at Pramac on the latest Desmosedici machinery for the third season in a row.

“This year’s goal is the same as what we set ourselves at the beginning of every season − being the best Independent Team and giving all the Official Teams a real run for their money!" said team principal Paolo Campinoti.

Zarco: 'Maybe the win will come'

Zarco, who at 32 is now one of the oldest on the grid, will continue his quest for a debut MotoGP victory after finishing runner-up on no less than ten occasions.

Other near misses include falling from the lead at Silverstone last season and opting not to risk contact with Francesco Bagnaia in the closing stages of the wet Buriram race.

“ I am very pleased to be wearing these colours for another season," said Zarco. "We have a great team, a great bike… and Jorge and I get on very well together. I’d say we have all the ingredients for a great season, and maybe − who knows? − the win will come our way."

Martin: 'Big plans and real ambition'

Martin will again seek to turn his raw speed (nine poles from 34 starts) into consistency as, like Zarco, he tries to become the first satellite rider to win the ‘MotoGP’ crown.

Having been overlooked by the official Ducati team, set to run Bagnaia and Bastianini for the next two seasons, Martin is seen as a possible contender for the available factory Yamaha ride, alongside Fabio Quartararo, for 2024.

"Last year was a special year, with very difficult moments too, but it served for me to grow and become stronger," Martin said. "I have big plans and real ambition, and together with my team I know we can do great things. In Sepang when I climb onto my Ducati I’ll know whether all the hard work of the winter break was worth it. We’re ready! I’m, ready!”

Meanwhile, with long-time team manager Francesco Guidotti poached by KTM at the end of 2021, Gino Borsoi has been hired from Aspar to take over the reins at Pramac in 2023.

“For me it will be a new adventure," Borsoi said. "The 2023 Season will be my first with the Prima Pramac Racing team.  I don’t think it’s a coincidence that ‘23’ has always been a significant number for me, even when I was racing…let’s hope it’s a good omen.

"For the tests in Valencia, I already got to know all the guys and the riders. My first impressions were very encouraging, I was very satisfied. You can take nothing for granted in this world − ever − but I’m sure we will do our utmost.”