At Ducati, everything is smiling on them again. And it's been since Dovi left. The dark moods seem to have left with him in the red box. During the off-season tests in Qatar, the brand showed a positive image whose foundations had been laid during the big drivers' meeting in Jerez to run with Panigale V4 S. In Borgo Panigale, the authorities declared that we would see this year the fact that the driver has always been at the center of the brand. No offense to the three-time world champion starter, who expressed his bitterness after eight seasons spent with his compatriots. Sports director Paolo Ciabatti talks about this offseason being over. And even he seems to be getting younger!
Ducati has changed its pilot workforce and this novelty has for the moment brought a freshness of good quality. A renewed atmosphere that the sports director Paolo ciabatti readily recognizes to better rejoice: “ there was a need for freshness, renewed enthusiasm » he said, thus recognizing that he had to turn a page… “ It was painful to make certain decisions, but like in life, there are relationships that fizzle out for a thousand reasons and then it is better to leave and move on. It was decided to focus on young people and start again with freshness, even at the cost of perhaps doing worse ».
A disillusionment that can always happen, because the competition has not yet started while in the new group, absolutely no one can boast of having materialized with a Desmosedici in MotoGP ... But a first bet was won: that of the good atmosphere which sends positive waves, so precious on the mind and the organisms ... " We are happy. There is an atmosphere of enthusiasm in the box. A great desire to do well. We have renewed the entire line-up and the drivers are at the peak of their motivation. For Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia it's the first experience as factory riders, so they are very excited ».
Ciabatti: “Zarco is the most special”
He pursues : " Zarco saw the abyss of retirement and we find him with a motorcycle like the one of the officials. And then we have three rookies: Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini. These guys are all different characters, it's a good mix. Jack has a smile on his face, he is so happy. Pecco is more attentive, but on the track he is a mastiff and then Zarco is the most particular. Just think that in those days of break between the first and second test while everyone was in the pool, he was with his coach playing guitar in a corner. Johann is like that: an artist in life and a warrior on the track ».
On this subject, the results recorded at Losail are just as likely to make you smile: on the first day of the second test session, Jack Miller broke the Losail circuit record with a time of 1'53" 183, lowering the previous 2019 record of Marc Marquez of 2 tenths. The second day Pecco Bagnaia secured his fourth place in the combined standings, working on both the time attack and the race simulation. “ We know that Qatar is a favorable track for Ducati and therefore cannot be indicative for the whole season, but in the meantime I would say we have started on the right foot » says Ciabatta.
On the work carried out, the Italian lifts the veil: with the engines frozen for the current season, the racing department Ducati worked on the chassis and aerodynamics. “ Pecco and Jack set the best time with the new fairing. They are happy. We worked to increase the feel on the front ». Ciabatta also reveals: engineers come from the world of motor racing, but motorcycles require dedicated studies ».
Now, what can we expect from this 2021 season which will launch at the end of the month? “ Every year we take to the track with the goal of the world title. This year is no exception » begins Ciabatti on MOW. " It is still early to make predictions. We also need to know when Marc Marquez will be back. In the paddock, they say he could come for the first race. I guess it will be in the box. Not on the track. He hasn't come back on a motorcycle yet ". Certainly, but the eight-time World Champion has been in overdrive for several days in his program dedicated to his convalescence...
