P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nadia Padovani continues to face sexism despite Gresini’s success under her
Nadia Padovani, the owner of the Gresini MotoGP team, has openly discussed the challenges of sexism she has faced and continues to combat since she assumed control of the team in 2021. Padovani took over the team after her husband, ex-racer Fausto Gresini, tragically passed away due to COVID-19 in early 2021. Despite the personal tragedy, Padovani has played a pivotal role in transforming Gresini into one of MotoGP’s most successful teams on the current grid. Gresini has achieved victories with all its riders since 2022 and secured a top-three position in the championship standings with Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez, and Alex Marquez. In 2025, Gresini won four grand prix races and clinched the second spot in the standings with Alex Marquez riding a year-old Ducati bike. Looking ahead to 2026, Alex Marquez will be equipped with a factory bike for the first time in Gresini. Despite her remarkable achievements, Padovani has faced sexism challenges in the paddock, where some sponsors withdrew their support upon learning that she would lead the team following Fausto Gresini’s passing. Despite such setbacks, Padovani continues to command respect in the paddock, although she still encounters instances within her own garage where men overlook her expertise on certain matters due to her gender. Padovani, undeterred, has proven her competence by addressing long-standing conflicts and hurdles, showcasing her resilience and capability in a male-dominated environment.
