Gresini MotoGP workforce proprietor Nadia Padovani has spoken out concerning the sexism she has confronted and continues to battle since taking on the workforce in 2021.
Padovani took over possession of Gresini Racing following the tragic loss of life of her husband, former racer Fausto Gresini, from COVID-19 in early 2021.
With this heartache behind him, Padovani helped lead Gresini to considered one of MotoGP’s most profitable groups on the present grid.
Since 2022, Gresini has gained races with each rider he has entered and completed within the prime three of the championship with Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez.
In 2025, Gresini gained 4 Grands Prix between Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, ending second within the standings with the previous driving a Ducati a yr in the past.
In 2026, Alex Marquez will carry a manufacturing facility bike to Gresini for the primary time.
Regardless of her success, the Italian athlete stated she continued to battle sexism within the paddock. Gazzetta dello Sport This began instantly.
Requested whether or not sponsors had pulled out following Fausto Gresini’s loss of life and her taking on the workforce, she stated: “Many did not, as a result of they preferred Gresini.”
“A few of them did. When the large sponsors, the businesses from the Far East who have been going to be there in 2022, discovered that Faust was not there, they did not wish to do it anymore.
“They did not actually like the concept of a girl being in command of the workforce. That was a giant blow.
“I had simply given Ducati permission to make use of the bike after they pulled out. I could not sleep that evening.
“Additionally, as a result of there have been so many issues and issues in 2021. Each little factor, it was annoying. However we have been in a position to deal with all the pieces.”
Though she has since gained quite a lot of respect within the paddock, Padovani stated she nonetheless has encounters in her storage the place males steer the dialog to different males “assuming the lady would not know the right way to deal with a sure matter.”
“(The outbreaks) are rather less than they was once, however they nonetheless occur,” she stated.
“At first I felt dangerous, however now I do not even understand it. I do know what I’ve performed through the years to resolve issues, conditions and conflicts which have existed for a few years and have been by no means resolved by my husband.
“I even left individuals at house who didn’t settle for my function.
“Or individuals who say, ‘We have all the time performed it this manner…’ are attitudes that do not sit nicely with me.
“I’ve by no means condoned that. Males are inclined to make issues more durable than they’re.
“We ladies are sensible. By juggling work, children and, in my case, mother and father, we have change into accustomed to fixing issues shortly.”
