There were two Ducati factory riders in this virtual race on a digitized Red Bull Ring, but neither was the Borgo Panigale factory spearhead. Andrea Dovizioso is thus living his confinement well and truly reclusive and although he may have watched the show from home, he already has his thoughts turned towards the world after, left behind by the coronavirus scourge. And he warns: the recovery will be hard, physically, mentally, and even economically…
Andrea Dovizioso is known for his pragmatism and cold approach to competition. A character that emerges when he speaks about the aftermath of this pandemic: “ we are not used to taking such a long break. Physically, it will be difficult for everyone “, he told Moto.it “because we won't be able to be ready to ride a MotoGP as soon as we return. The one who knows how to manage will make the difference. But mentally it won't be easy. »
The vice-world champion, recently featured in a docu-film entitled “ undaunted", in which his fight against Marc Márquez during the 2019 season is detailed, also announces a new situation: “ there will be cuts in pilot salaries, but the quantum is still suspended, because everything will depend on when you return to racing and how many Grands Prix can be organized. Motorcycle contracts are different from football contracts: we will have to see how bad the damage will be and how Dorna will handle the situation. »
His manager Simone Battistella, which also manages the interests ofÁlvaro Bautista, by Alessandro Zaccone and Lorenzo Baldassarri is of this opinion. The coronavirus pandemic is having catastrophic effects on the global economy, as a result it will also have repercussions on MotoGP and motorcycle sport in general. What will become of pilot salaries, sponsor income, TV rights?
« When it comes to driver contracts, there is a part relating to image rights and another based on performance ", Explain Simone Battistella in an interview with “GPspirit”. If the championship takes place even with a few races less, there will be no serious consequences. “ At the moment it makes no difference if we save a world championship... If there is no Grand Prix, of course many problems will ensue, not so much for the drivers, but for the organizers and the teams, because there will be losses in sponsors, in television rights and in all these things »
« We are in contact with the sponsors ", added Simone Battistella. " But until the situation becomes clearer, it is impossible to have a conversation. Right now there will be a world championship, so we have to wait and see if there is a significant reduction in the number of races. If there are races, we will have to discuss them. "A season with fewer races wouldn't be a big problem: " the contract is for a world championship. If the races decrease, it makes no difference. » Hence this priority displayed by Dorna of running…
