The Gresini Moto3 team has announced it will retain current riders Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio for the 2018 season.
Martin switched to the Italian Gresini Honda outfit for 2017 having spent two years with the Aspar Mahindra team, during which time he managed a podium finish at Brno in 2016.
The 19-year-old Spaniard made a strong start to his 2017 campaign, securing pole in six of the first eight races, while tallying up four rostrums in that time.
However, an ankle injury sustained during practice for the German Grand Prix curtailed his championship charge as he was forced to miss the races at the Sachsenring and Brno. He took back-to-back thirds upon his return at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone.
“I’m very happy to stay within the Gresini family next year,” Martin, who is fifth in the standings on 134 points, said.
“I feel at home here and I’ve had that feeling since the first tests this season. We have a really competitive package and next season we’ll be aiming for the championship.
“That was the goal this year, but with the injuries and some things happened that were unexpected it wasn’t possible.”
Team-mate Di Giannantonio made a strong impression in his debut in the Moto3 class with the team last season, scoring three podium finishes on his way to sixth in the standings.
The Italian’s strong form has remained this season, with Di Giannantonio taking three podium from the first six races, adding to that tally at his home round at Misano and last weekend at Aragon.
Currently three points ahead of his team-mate in the standings in fourth, Di Giannantonio echoed Martin’s sentiments regarding the team and has set himself the target of a top three finish in the 2018 championship.
“I’m really happy to continue this journey together which started a year and a half ago, and to be doing so with this amazing team is priceless,” the VR46 Academy member said.
“The goal is to improve year after year and race after race. 2018 will be my third year in the series and the goal will be to finish the season in the top three.”
