The Pons team rider seems to be in the running to get a ride at Ducati Pramac, but he assures that nothing has yet been done regarding his future in MotoGP.
If the season is at a standstill for the moment, contract negotiations have not stopped, and the formalization of Jack Miller at Ducati in place of Danilo Petrucci appears to be nothing more than a formality things seem to be done. With a place becoming available in the Pramac team, the new question now is who will replace the Australian among the young Moto2 riders, who are on the front line to get the handlebars.
Many names are currently circulating, including that of Lorenzo Baldassarri, but the latter confided to the Italian site GP One not having had a real discussion about it yet: “I've heard noises but at the moment I don't think it's anything concrete. My manager hasn't told me anything yet, but if there is something concrete we will talk about it soon. The situation is special at the moment, but it would be my dream to move into MotoGP. »
The Italian is this year on his seventh season in the intermediate category, and with 12 podiums to his credit, including five victories, as well as a significant progression last year, he could claim this place by confirming his progress this year , even if he does not yet have a precise idea of the manufacturer he would choose in this case.
“I would really like to ride the Ducati, for many reasons, even if it is not an easy bike”, he explained. “I could also choose the Yamaha. Come to think of it, maybe I'll try them all. I see the Honda as small and compact whereas I'm tall, but a contract with the brand wouldn't necessarily displease me. »
Brad Binder and Álex Márquez are the latest riders to arrive in MotoGP, and both have been great opponents for the Italian in recent years. We also remember Baldassarri's collision with the Spaniard during the Dutch Grand Prix, where he lost the front shortly before the finish and took Marc Márquez's brother with him.
“After the incident he behaved badly, so much so that it would almost have been fairer if he had fallen and not me”he said. “I am sorry to have caused his fall as well as mine, but he came to push me and insult me while I was still under the bike, it was not normal. Then I behaved properly and went to clear things up at his box and apologize. »
However, he recognizes the value of his opponent and knows that he could do great things in the premier category: “It’s obvious that his brother is above him, but Álex is a hard worker and he has improved a lot in recent years. I find it difficult to make a prediction, but he has talent and he is fast. Last year we fought a lot against each other. At the beginning he was in difficulty, but with the arrival of the wider tire he improved a lot. »
It remains to be seen whether the two drivers will be on the track together again next year…
