It's an outing from Jorge Lorenzo which confirms, once again, that between him and Gigi Dall'Igna exists an almost filial relationship. But this time, the Majorcan has definitively emancipated himself from the Italian. Although it was denied, and difficult to believe at the time, the negotiations for a resounding return of the five-time World Champion on the red bike did indeed take place. They have even been very advanced. At the same time, talks with Andrea Dovizioso were at a standstill. But the outcome with the two men was identical for Ducati: they decided to stop the discussions, leaving the brand with its mouth in the water. Since then, she has been chasing young people...
It is Jorge Lorenzo who says it in an interview given to the site Motorsport : there have been very advanced negotiations with Ducati for a return to MotoGP, but it was he who, in the final phase of the discussions, stalled. The affair was so well underway that the Majorcan felt obliged to apologize… “ It was a very real possibility, one that was about to come to fruition » , reveals the Balearic rider, 3 times MotoGP champion and 5 times absolutely.
« During confinement, Gigi Dall'Igna called me on the phone to congratulate me on my birthday. We talked about personal, family and other matters, and at the end of the conversation I asked him, out of curiosity, about the future of the team and the drivers. Shortly after, Michelle Pirro sent me a half-joking, half-serious message, asking if I wanted to come back to Ducati » reveals Jorge.
« Between Gigi's call and Michele's message, I saw that there was some interest from Ducati, and I started to think about the idea of racing again. Maybe it was because I had been cooped up for so many months because I missed that feeling that winning gives you. But this call allowed me to start running in my head again ».
It wasn't just this idea. There was also indeed a negotiation: “ we started negotiations, but as the time got closer to signing, these things started to weigh on me again », added the Spaniard, who makes a point of specifying that it was he who backed away when everything seemed on track to be able to return to MotoGP with Ducati. This at a time when the Italian firm was not making progress in its negotiations with a Dovizioso who would later, during the Austrian Grand Prix, also complete his discussions with a view to renewing his lease.
“My time as a racing driver is over”
« After several days of doubts, I decided, very sorry, that I had to say no to Gigi. It tasted really bad and I'm really sorry, because I hinted at things at the factory. If it had been clearer, we would not have started negotiations. The truth is that I will always be grateful for the trust shown, but in that moment, Ifelt that I had to think only of myself, and came to the conclusion that it was no longer worth being a racing driver ».
« With each passing year, the chances of this happening will be less. Honestly, after making this difficult decision, I think I can close my time as a driver. Although I would like to stay involved in this world somehow » adds Por Fuera.
A claimed involvement but which is nevertheless theoretically relevant since, officially, it is a test pilot Yamaha . But he is not requested. Why this technical unemployment which also calls out Valentino Rossi et Fabio Quartararo ? There thirty one answer: “ according to what Yamaha told me at the time, coronavirus caused some logistical issues with staff who should have traveled from Japan. It's a real shame not to be able to contribute my experience ". But he does not give up: “ continuing with Yamaha is my priority. I hope that Yamaha continues to trust me, and above all that there is the desire to develop a powerful test team that will help the bike grow. I think that with my experience and my sensitivity, I can contribute a lot ". To be continued…
