While there is not yet much action on the track on a sporting level, there is currently a lot of excitement among driver managers, lawyers and team leaders regarding driver contracts. Yamaha started by signing incredibly early Maverick Vinales et fabio quartararo, then Honda innovated by extending Marc Márquez for four years. The situation then became complicated thanks to Pol Espargaró and Andrea Dovizioso, without being simple for Cal Crutchlow, Álex Márquez or Danilo Petrucci.
Carlo Pernat gives us here his point of view on the current situation, he who after having worked in the industry for Gilera (Piaggio Group), managed the racing departments of Cagiva and Aprilia, before becoming the manager of, among others, Marco Simoncelli, Loris Capirossi, Andrea Iannone, Tony Arbolino and Enea Bastianini.
“We are faced with madness because, as we know well, Márquez renewed his contract by imposing a certain condition on Honda, that is, to take his brother” explained the former Aprilia team manager to Riccardo Gugliemetti of GPOne.com.
“Now, with this development (Editor's note: the announcement of the signing of Espargaro Pol for the Repsol Honda team in 2021), it's as if they told Álex Márquez that they didn't trust him. In my opinion, this decision could be a bad blow for Marc, since he will be hit, given the strong attachment he has to his brother. For me this is madness, since the HRC goes against Marc and Alzamora. All this was born from an idea by Alberto Puig anyway. »
How do you think Marc experiences this situation?
“I don’t know if Marc would still sign this four-year contract after what happened. We're really in a crazy world here, because it's not going to be an easy start for Honda. Puig's strategy against Marquez is suicidal.
We talk a lot about Álex Márquez. Are you so sure he's still on Honda after what happened?
“What if Álex had already signed a pre-contract with Pramac? »
In fact, we already talked about it last season. Then Ducati decided otherwise. In this context, was rider management worse by Honda or by Ducati?
“I would say Honda. Ducati made the right choices, like with Stoner, Lorenzo or Dovizioso, but then made the wrong choices when it came to getting rid of them. I don't think Honda has taken the best riders in recent years. »
What will KTM do?
“The doors are opening wide for Dovizioso! In this situation, Battistella* has an open field in case Pol leaves. KTM does not lack budget. Apart from that, if I was at Ducati, I would do everything I can to keep Dovizioso, because that is the only possible solution: to convince Dovi to stay. »
*Simone Battistella is Andrea Dovizioso's manager
What contract do you think Ducati can offer Dovizioso?
“Ducati always makes one-year contracts with an option for a second additional season for its riders, with the exception of Andrea, who must necessarily have a two-year contract. This will be the only solution in my opinion, because if they don't renew, Andrea and Ducati are crazy. If that doesn't happen, Ducati would have to start hoping that Iannone won't be suspended, or else try to get someone like Lorenzo back. »
Do you think Rossi can win the World Championship?
“No, against Márquez, it’s impossible. He can definitely have good races, maybe fight for podiums or a victory, but I don't think he can win the title. Overall, if he finishes in the top five at the end of the championship, it means he has done something great. Anyway, for now, Rossi hasn't signed anything yet for 2021. It's a team question, and Valentino will wait until the first races of this season to decide what he will do. »
For Rossi, how interesting could the idea of returning to Aprilia be?
“This idea has been around for a long time. Among other things, the idea of bringing Rossi to Aprilia is Massimo Rivola's and there is no denying it. »
« Do you think Bagnaia is in danger for 2021?
“Yes, and I say it with regret. If he doesn't do better than last year, Ducati won't reconfirm him. In 2019, he didn't have the official bike, it was his first year. For him, this season is fundamental and he will have to place in the top eight. »
Photos © Box Repsol and Repsol Media
