Pramac colors have been among the Grand Prix elite for several seasons and even long before its name was associated with that of Ducati. In this regard, if the brand has been seen twice on the highest step of the MotoGP podium, it was with a Honda and a Japanese named Makoto Tamada. But since 2005, the year of the alliance with the Borgo Panigale brand, there have only been 13 second places as best results. And almost a third of these second positions were obtained by the new arrival this year Johann Zarco, during the first nine rounds of the season…
Consistency in performance which deserves a mention from the director of the Pramac Ducati team that is Francesco Guidotti. The latter, on motogp.com, declares thus about the French: “ what to say about Zarco? Four podiums and still in the leading group, fighting for the podium. All this is deserved I think because he is really focused » rejoices the Italian. “ It also takes into account his position in the career, the age he is and maturity compared to younger drivers. So I think right now, we can only be satisfied with him ».
And in fact, zarco occupies an excellent second place in the world championship at mid-season, 34 points behind the compatriot fabio quartararo, official pilot Yamaha . The double World Champion is therefore also the best driver equipped with Ducati, which means that he is ahead of the official drivers of the brand. However, there is one cherry missing on this cake: victory.
An absence which is not, however, a lack ensures the same Guidotti : " a victory is always welcome. We have been very close in recent years but we are still really happy and satisfied with our work, our riders and the support from Ducati. Victory is something everyone wants but this is not our main objective. Our mission is to grow riders, support Ducati, develop motorcycles and discover new talents. I think we’re doing a good job of that.” And he ends on the subject: “if the first victory comes, it will be welcome, but we sleep well at night ».
Pramac: “ we hope that this relationship with Ducati will be even longer«
On the other hand, if the person responsible Pramac were to identify a black point, it would rather be this: “ the only black point of this first part of the season was the injury of Jorge Martin at Portimao, which made everything more difficult for his growth in this new category ", said Guidotti. « But after his return, he has already shown once again the potential, attitude and approach to racing that he has deep inside. We are therefore convinced that he will progress in the second half of the season ».
Guidotti ends with the relationship with Ducati, a clan which, in 2022, will welcome an additional structure, that of Gresini, while the current Avintia will take on another dimension with the label VR46. Who could be a danger in the ongoing romance between Pramac and Ducati: “ we renewed the agreement for three years, which we can consider long term, so both parties are happy with each other. We have grown with Ducati since Gigi Dall'Igna joined Ducati Corse and we hope this relationship will be even longer ", said Guidotti.
