In Aragon, the tension between Ducati and Andrea Dovizioso was revealed publicly with the driver's anger symbolized by a throwing of the glove which remains in the memories. Already in Austria, the same Dovi had previously indicated, in the middle of a meeting, that he was stopping his negotiations with a view to renewing a lease which had lasted for 8 years. While he still mathematically has a chance of being crowned this year, Petrucci's teammate, also on the start, proclaims to anyone who will listen that that is not likely to happen with his current bike. Mutual consent for separation is moving away and we are getting closer to an Italian divorce…
Each day is enough for its pain in the agonizing relationships between Ducati et Andrea Dovizioso. Every day, we seem to sink a little lower in mutual esteem, and it is not this latest news that will calm people's minds. To top it all off, all that would be missing was a trial. In fact, we seem to be getting closer!
An astonishing perspective born from the incredible imbroglio Yamaha with its engine and valves. Looking back a week after its revelation, we realize that the manufacturer is doing well by only losing big points in the manufacturer and team championship rankings. The capital of the drivers is preserved, which means that we have dissociated man from machine in the competition. An appreciation that is not to the taste of Dovizioso who indicates that as far as he is concerned, such an outcome causes him economic harm.
Thus, by not gaining a place in the hierarchy of the drivers' championship, due to a downgrading of opponents who rode a motorcycle recognized as non-compliant, he would lose money. And by accepting the verdict, his employer would be complicit in not defending his interests. Simone Battistella presents the situation as follows: if it were true that the proposal to penalize only the manufacturer came from Ducati, it would be a deeply embarrassing situation », Comments the manager at the microphone of Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Significant consequences in terms of ranking and economy”
« Neither Andrea nor I were informed of the proposal in committee, as well as the conviction handed down late in the evening, which with only one hour to appeal, compromised Andrea's right to protest. But, even more, this has important consequences in terms of ranking and economics. We are trying to understand what to do about this situation ».
To recover these potential losses, Dovizioso et Battistella therefore evaluate the possibility of continuing Ducati and seek damages. A perspective to which the sports director Paolo ciabatti answers : " I would be very surprised if Andrea and Battistella really thought of such an action. It was not Ducati's idea, but rather to seek consensus to resolve a situation that had been going on for some time. ». Dovizioso will he cross the Rubicon? In any case, between that and the negotiations that failed so much with Ducati that with the manufacturers, we know that the driver does not laugh when there is money at stake…
