In 2017, a new era will begin at Ducati. That of a MotoGP project entirely focused on a five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo and which will have the full attention of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. A decision taken very early in this 2016 season to the detriment of Yamaha. But there was also another driver in the Reds' sights.
Recruiting the best drivers on the market is a logical objective for any self-respecting major manufacturer. Especially when the declared level and the resources involved make him a contender for the world crown. However, this year 2016 had the particularity of seeing the contracts of the main tenors of MotoGP come to an end. So we had to position ourselves to get one. Ducati did the right thing and caught in its net Jorge Lorenzo. But the Majorcan was not the only objective of the men at Desmosedici.
In an interview with crash.net, Paolo ciabatti recognizes that there was another: “ we thought it was time to quickly recruit one of the best drivers on the grid. An opportunity that should not be missed, otherwise we would have had to wait two more years. For reasons that everyone will understand, we did not approach Valentino Rossi. But we contacted Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Márquez ».
« It quickly became apparent that Jorge Lorenzo was the one with whom negotiations could be concluded most successfully. Speaking with Marc would have meant entering into a direct confrontation with Honda. A financial escalation was going to be inevitable and Honda, as the world's leading manufacturer, has more resources than us. We would have lost a lot of time and would have had to spend a lot of money for a random result. Because Honda needs Márquez, they would have done what it takes to keep him. Without Marquez, Honda would be in trouble ».
« So between these two drivers who are of equal level, we thought that Jorge was the most accessible and we focused our efforts on him. His very good relationship with Casey Stoner was a plus, but it was not decisive in the final choice ". It now remains to create a Desmosedici which gives confidence to Por Fuera with a driving style so particular that it can allow him to dominate outrageously as well as to vegetate at the gate of the points.
