Michele Pirro is a linchpin for Ducati in its MotoGP adventure. A test driver fast enough to give the right indications, he was also particularly mobilized to best integrate Jorge Lorenzo into the Desmosedici project. With relative success, but in the end, we cannot speak of failure, since there were victories in the absence of a title. Furthermore, the adventure stopped just when things seemed to be taking shape. However, this period marked the brand's history in the category since it left a legacy. This is what Pirro says, no offense to Dovizioso…
Jorge Lorenzo is a five-time World Champion and therefore a proven driver. Humanly, he seems difficult to understand, a difficulty that his decisions seem to confirm each time. Covered with glory at Yamaha , he crossed the golden bridge that Ducati had thrown him to suffer on a Desmosedici, which left the bitter taste of poor quality/price ratio to his employer. A tension that the victories that eventually arrived did not ease, so much so that he changed creameries again by going to Honda. There, the failure was obvious, so much so that he was convinced to retire... Unless the latter was only an alibi to get rid of the two-year lease and return to the fold Yamaha . We don't know, but the facts are there: here he is, a test pilot for the Iwata company with a wildcard for the Grand Prix of Catalonia.
But let's go back to Ducati. Was his passage significant without having borne all its fruit? The leading driver Andrea Dovizioso has already had the opportunity to put into perspective the contribution of Por Fuera in the evolution of Desmosedici. But Michele Pirro, who has also been within the walls of Ducati Corse for a lease, has a slightly different opinion. He explains thus: “ he brought a lot to Ducati, if we have reached certain levels, it is also thanks to him »
« Even in the most critical period with Ducati, when everyone had already thrown in the towel, I was one of the few who continued to believe in him », he continues about Lorenzo. " Dovi, who did great things with the Desmosedici, is a great fighter. I was convinced that Lorenzo could succeed, even when everyone said he would never adapt to Ducati. He did it. For me it was a great satisfaction ", did he declare.
And how does he see his failure at Honda? “ Jorge needs to feel the front and with the Honda he never felt safe. In addition, he is a pilot who suffered psychologically from numerous accidents. On the other hand, he thinks that the Yamaha M1 is a bike that makes it easier to reach a certain level. » Pirro ends with the overall work of Ducati until now in MotoGP: “ for me, it's satisfying. Ducati and I are working so that our bike can be used by multiple riders. For me, what Lorenzo did with the Ducati, and which he could not repeat with Honda, is a matter of great pride. »
