Casey Stoner did not go unnoticed at Portimao in a Ducati stand where he had officially come to shake a few hands and meet up with some acquaintances in the paddock. But instead, the two official drivers seemed to listen to him religiously in their box while the other Desmosedici drivers made no secret of wanting his advice. As a result, the idea of a coaching position spontaneously emerged, which would mean constant, year-round involvement. Is Ducati really thinking about it and does Casey Stoner really want it? Here are some things to think about…
This was supposed to be just an isolated event but it became a story. What ? The visit of Casey Stoner in Portimao in the stand Ducati, the effects of which went beyond those of the simple satisfaction of seeing the double Australian World Champion again. He wasn't just there. He also got involved with the pilots. Who seem to be asking for more. But is it possible and in what context? Paolo ciabatti, the sporting director of Ducati Corse, took the pressure off. The latter specified that it will be difficult to bring back permanently to Europe the one who is to this day still the only one to have brought the brand a World Drivers' Champion title in MotoGP.
« We talked a lot about Casey, he helped our drivers with some analysis and gave good advice »Comments Ciabatta. " It's always nice to have a champion like him, even if the credit in racing goes to Pecco, Jack and their talent ". This clarification made, the man from Borgo Panigale raises the last hopes of the Australian's fans: “ I don't think Casey is planning to move to Europe in 2022, he has his family and children in Australia and I think that is his top priority ».
« I think he really enjoyed being back in the paddock after so long. He will also be with us in Valencia and I hope it will bring us luck " finished Ciabatta on Stoner who still wants to be useful: “ I still have so much to give. I know what it takes to be fast and also how and why certain things happen ».
Ducati: “ we made the right choices and we took the right direction”
Now if the factory Ducati is obviously open to any experience, she is also at a moment in her MotoGP program where she can count solely on her own strengths in the competition. The same Paolo ciabatti, who took stock of this 2021 season for the brand, recalled: “ We are happy to have won the constructors' title for the second time in a row. It was even more important this season, which consisted of 18 races. This is, I think, Ducati's best season in its history with the 21 podiums. This is the highest score ever recorded. Before, there were only the 18 podiums taken with Stoner and Capirossi in 2007 ».
The Italian even insists: “ six victories, eleven pole positions, there has always been a Ducati on the front row. We won with three drivers and five of them got on the podium. This shows that our bike is competitive. We are still suffering a little at Sachsenring and Assen, but overall we are satisfied ". An overall result which is also the success of an assumed political change: “ This year we have made a big change compared to the previous one. We promoted Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller to the factory team, we invested in young drivers to the point that the oldest is Johann Zarco who is 30 years old. ».
Ciabatta thus ends his demonstration; “ we are happy because we made the right choices and we took the right direction. We also have other young drivers arriving next year. We will have eight motorcycles, which is a logistical challenge, but we have done it before when Aspar was with us. Having young riders with Ducatis is good for us and our future ". We see, the presence of a Casey Stoner is not essential in an organization that has already found its balance.
