Things are now in place at Ducati which, after the parade of the presentation troops, will speed up work in the workshop to release its GP17. A bike that will be important, like this season. The technical man Gigi Dall'Igna warned: with a driver of Lorenzo's caliber in the walls, the time for showmanship and figuration is over. However, voices are being raised at Ducati to clarify that the title would rather be planned for 2018. And not 2017. An idea shared by CEO Claudio Domenicali.
« In 2017 we will have no excuses ". A sentence that could not be clearer about the intentions of Ducati this season in MotoGP. Gigi Dall'Igna thus sounded the general mobilization and put the pressure on. A motivation which is pleasing to see, but an ambition which, although shared, is of variable geometry among the other key members of the manufacturer. Therefore, Jorge Lorenzo speaks more of a desire to progress than to seek the title. And then there is the boss, Claudio Domenicali.
The latter shared his way of seeing things crash.net : " Last year we demonstrated how fast our bike was and how it was constantly improving. So I think we are now ready for the last step which is to play for the title. But for all that, we don't consider ourselves favorites. We have the time ».
He specifies : " the brand is solid, it’s growing, it’s making profits, it’s investing and we have a long-term program. So we'll see what happens in 2017, but this year is not the season or ever ».
This should relieve some pressure: “ the title will probably not happen in 2017. It is more possible in 2018. We will then be a solid contender. And then we must evaluate the forces present. Maybe Honda will make an extremely capable bike, maybe Viñales will be untouchable. Or quite the opposite ».
« It will be difficult for everyone because the season will be long with different conditions with dry, rainy, cold or extreme heat. It will not only be a question of velocity, but also of state of mind. You will have to stay focused at all times ". Reading these words, we wonder if the unknown at Ducati remains the way Por Fuera will behave this time in the rain and the cold...
Exactly, what is the contribution of the Mallorcan? “ With Stoner, he helps us refine the project, looking at the smallest detail to be efficient on all tracks. Because at the moment we have a winning bike on some circuits, but we are suffering on others. Everything will depend on the time it takes for Gigi Dall'Igna and her engineers to synthesize the information given by Jorge and Casey. If they can do it in two months, then the competition has to worry! »
And to this worry will be added the surprise of a Sundays who insists: “ It will probably take more than a year so we will learn this season by trying to do better than in 2016. Then we will be more ready to fight in 2018 ". Doing better than the campaign that has just ended means surpassing the two victories and putting a driver higher than fifth overall when it comes time to take stock.
