A busy weekend awaits Ducati, which is preparing to face its Italian Grand Prix with nine motorcycles on its favorite and testing track, Mugello. The opportunity was therefore great to add Michele Pirro, the brand's test driver, to the squad of the Borgo Panigale clan. A big celebration is thus expected, with however the fear of a fellow Aprilia which could spoil it... It remains that the deadline with the air of national communion loosens tongues, if we are to believe the last intervention of the sporting director Paolo Ciabatti on the 2023 outlook…
Paolo ciabatti gave an interview to speedweek which is not without surprises. Thus, we discover thatEnea Bastianini can actually consider donning a red suit in 2023 given that the ideal teammate of bagnaia what Jack Miller could change his to a more orange tone with KTM marked on it… George Martin, in view of his current results, should repeat at Pramac and the Spaniard could change teammates, depending on the outcome of this internal game of musical chairs that Ciabatta eagerly and probably rightly identifies it as a rich man's problem. But let us not panic over the case of John Zarco : his plan B is already in the pipeline…
In detail, it looks like this. On bastianini next to bagnaia ? " It's a possibility. But it's not 100% sure yet.. The outlook for Enea is definitely good. We must take into account different aspects, including the expectations of our sponsors ". On George Martin, he says : " he's a fantastic rider but he's had seven crashes in the first seven races. We are not in a hurry. So we're waiting to decide who goes to which team. We want to think carefully.” However, there is evidence... “The facts are clear: Enea is the only driver to have won three victories this year. As the best Ducati rider, he is third in the World Championship, he is only eight points behind leader Quartararo ».
Ducati: “we hear Jack Miller is negotiating with KTM, it's no secret"
Ciabatta also gives an indication of the future course of events with the confirmation of a rumor that emerged during the last Grand Prix of France : " we want to first buy out the options on the drivers, then decide which team they will ride for in 2023. We first have to wait and see what Jack Miller will do. Of course we hear that he is negotiating with KTM. It's not a secret. We told Jack and his manager Aki Ajo that if they were looking for a place on a factory team they needed to look around because we are unable to offer Jack a place in the 2023 factory team For now. So we may have five drivers for both teams. Maybe it's only four in the end ».
And our Johann zarco in all of that ? It remains in the plans Ducati : " he could go to Gresini, why not? If Bastianini goes to the factory team or to Pramac, we will discuss with the Gresini team which drivers with a good level are available " finished Ciabatta which, incidentally, has just set the mood at KTM who should soon be contacted by Miguel Oliveira to find out what it's all about...
