Nadia Padovani, owner of the Gresini MotoGP team, has openly discussed the sexism she has encountered since taking charge of the team in 2021. She assumed ownership after the tragic death of her husband, former racer Fausto Gresini, due to COVID-19 early that year. Despite this personal loss, Padovani played a key role in transforming Gresini Racing into one of the top-performing teams in MotoGP today. Since 2022, her team has achieved race wins with every rider entered and secured top-three finishes in the championship with riders like Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez, and Alex Marquez.
In 2025, Gresini claimed four Grand Prix victories between Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, with Alex finishing second overall while riding a Ducati the previous year. Looking ahead to 2026, Alex Marquez will bring a factory bike to the team for the first time. Despite her notable achievements, Padovani revealed that sexism remains a persistent issue in the paddock. She shared with Gazzetta dello Sport that some sponsors withdrew after Fausto’s death and when she took over, particularly large companies from the Far East uncomfortable with a woman leading the team.
Padovani described the emotional toll this caused, recalling sleepless nights and ongoing stress throughout 2021, but emphasized her team’s ability to overcome these challenges. While she has earned considerable respect in MotoGP, she still experiences moments in the garage where men divert conversations away from her, assuming she lacks knowledge on certain topics. Though these incidents have lessened over time, they have not disappeared entirely.
Initially, Padovani felt affected by these attitudes but now remains confident in her capabilities, having resolved longstanding conflicts her late husband hadn’t addressed. She has distanced herself from individuals unwilling to accept her leadership and challenged outdated mindsets rooted in tradition. Padovani highlighted how women, balancing multiple responsibilities like work, family, and care for parents, have developed strong problem-solving skills, contrasting with men who often complicate situations unnecessarily.
Fan Take: Nadia Padovani’s perseverance and success break significant gender barriers in MotoGP, paving the way for greater inclusion in the sport. Her leadership not only strengthens the competitive landscape but also challenges outdated attitudes, inspiring future generations in racing.
