Performing hundreds of laps for the Ducati MotoGP and WSBK test teams each year, Pirro is considered one of the best testers in the world, along with Sylvain Guintoli and Dani Pedrosa, which even earned him a proposal from Yamaha, alongside Jorge Lorenzo.
The job of tester is difficult and sometimes painful because it is necessary to carry out many rounds to validate certain technical solutions. The distances covered each season are impressive, especially since the weather conditions are sometimes far from ideal, and security is necessarily imperfect since there are fewer staff (doctors, marshals) present than during the races.
Fortunately, the job also has its advantages, such as a comfortable salary. But what a driver loves most is competition. This is the reason why Ducati enters Pirro into the “Campionato Italiano Velocità”, the transalpine national championship where the manufacturer from Bologna faces its competitor from Noale. Aprilia can count on Lorenzo Savadori and the Nuova M2 Racing team, while Pirro is entered by the Barni Racing Team.
In addition to this national championship, Michele participates in Grands Prix as a wildcard, like last year when he finished seventh at Mugello during his Italian GP, ahead of Cal Crutchlow, Pol Espargaró and fabio quartararo. He also raced in the World Superbike Championship at Misano in 2019, achieving two eighth places at the World Circuit Misano Marco Simoncelli. But unfortunately, he is unable to play the joker card in the premier category in this year 2020, which has been undermined by Covid-19.
“Yes, I was disappointed that testers were banned from racing as wildcards » said Mr. Pirro, “And it didn't make much sense to release such news months before the official schedule was announced. I can understand the urgency, but I think they could have given a deadline of 40 days before the race to decide.” said the Ducati “collaudatore” (test rider) to Paolo Scalera of GPOne.com.
“On the contrary, the fact that it was decided two months before the first race on the calendar disappointed me a little. Here the situation regarding Covid-19 changes from week to week, so giving this decision priority, I don't see it as a good idea, but rather as a stab in the back. »
Was it a very big disappointment for you?
“I have invested a lot to be ready for the races, just like Ducati with me. I was really disappointed, but I have to accept it and be aware that we have to come back next year even stronger. »
Will we have the chance to see you at the start of certain SBK World Championship races?
“I don’t think I’m going to race in WSBK. For now, my priority is to do well in CIV and during the MotoGP tests. We also need to understand how Dovizioso is doing with his injury, in case I need to be ready to replace him. It is better to do less, but do it well, than to do too many wrong things. »
What do you expect from the Jerez races? During testing in Qatar, the Ducati seemed to have problems with the new tires.
“In recent months we have studied the tire problem and then we did the test in Misano. The indications are positive and we have to hope that Dovizioso does well because we could also be competitive in Jerez. »
“After that there will be some good circuits for us like Austria, Brno and Misano. In Misano alone, I think that thanks to the new asphalt we can be competitive again, like in 2018.”
Photos © Ducati, Motogp.com / Dorna
