When a top driver leaves one manufacturer for another, a strategic and political question always arises in addition to a sporting issue. Because the drivers' contracts end at the end of the calendar year and the season ends in November... Which also marks the start of the off-season and the first tests. The champion therefore finds himself in a gray zone managed at the discretion of his future ex-employer. Sometimes the latter is benevolent. Other times no… And Jorge Lorenzo he alone will experience both cases!
Two years ago, Jorge Lorenzo left Yamaha, a manufacturer he had served since 2008 and with whom three world titles had been won. Destination Ducati, but the change of direction had little enthusiasm for the decision-makers of the brand with tuning forks. The latter had certainly let Por Fuera discover his new mount in Valencia at the end of the season, but they had vetoed the other test gallops scheduled by the IRTA, before the end of the year.
A brake which, however, will not be applied by Ducati which will see the same Majorcan leave to serve the interests of Honda. A very noble attitude that we would like to see more often. Besides, what will Suzuki decide aboutAndrea Iannone heading to Aprilia?
