If we take for granted that Ducati will make an announcement very soon to formalize Jack Miller in the Octo Pramac team for the 2018 season, the question then arises as to who will replace him in the Belgian Marc VDS team alongside Franco Morbidelli .
The site speedweek reviewed potential candidates.
Esteve “Tito” Rabat : currently 17th in the championship with 23 points, the calling card of the 2 Moto2014 world champion does not make you dream. If we add to this a serious deterioration in relations between the Marc VDS team and the driver's father, the latter accusing the guy of not providing good equipment, it is more than likely that the Spaniard will look for a new entourage for next season. Probably on the Avintia side…
Scott Redding : already riding Marc VDS in Moto2 in 2013, the Briton finished second in the intermediate championship behind Pol Espargaro before joining the Gresini MotoGP team in 2014. Then accusing his Honda customer competition of being responsible for his lack of performance (12th in 2014 ), number 45 then returns to Marc VDS (13th in 2015) before leaving for Octo Pramac where the results are not much better (15th in 2016, 13th currently). Leaving his place to Jack Miller in 2018, the one who was considered at the time as “the child of the family” is undoubtedly not the ideal choice for the Marc VDS team, but nevertheless remains an acceptable possibility…
Tom Luthi : currently in his eighth year of Moto2 (!), the Swiss rider legitimately aspires to move up to the higher category. However, his inexperience in MotoGP seems to be a prohibitive handicap for Michael Bartholemy to ride alongside the other Rookie who is Franco Morbidelli.
Yonny Hernandez : just like Esteve Rabat, the Colombian driver is not deprived of financial arguments, an important element since with the loss of the direct HRC-Jack Miller contract, the Belgian team sees its operating costs increase.
Stefan bradl : perhaps Michael Bartholemy's first choice, especially since the experienced German driver currently rides for Honda. But what can be an advantage can also be a disadvantage, as the team manager explains: « For me, Stefan would be good. But I have to take into consideration what Honda intends to do with Stefan Bradl in the World Superbike Championship. »
The choice of the Marc VDS team is expected to be finalized in the week after the Czech Grand Prix.
