Borgo Panigale presented its new livery for the 2018 season yesterday. At least, as far as the main lines are concerned since a new sponsor is expected to replace the operator TIM who preferred to invest elsewhere.
What is immediately obvious is that the new decoration is both more sophisticated and more dynamic than previously, with a modern interweaving of the four colors of red (tending towards orange), black, gray mouse and light gray. Because, in fact, there is no more “real white”, except on the sponsor logos appearing on the shoe and the swinging arm of the GP17s used for the occasion.
This color combination is certainly reminiscent of the one that appeared on the Audi R18 of endurance, gray then symbolizing the traditional color of Germany during the Grands Prix between the wars…
Should we see the influence of Audi, owner of Ducati, in this juxtaposition of colors of the new Ducati?
This would not be shocking since it would be legitimate and the result is rather pleasant.
In any case, all this is still likely to evolve slightly since a new sponsor should appear to replace TIM. Its location is also reserved on pilots' suits, at torso level, as can be seen in the photos below.
The Italian site motograndprix.motorionline.com indicates that this could be IQOS, the electronic device developed by Philip Morris (still the main sponsor of the Ducati team) that heats tobacco instead of burning it. In view of the anti-smoking laws, the subject seems sensitive and the final decision has obviously still not been made to display this brand, especially since other discussions also seem to be underway...
The final decoration of the GP18s should logically take place between now and the Qatar Grand Prix and, in the meantime, we can always see thatAndrea Dovizioso seems to have integrated the Red Bull fold in its own right, and that Jorge Lorenzo presented a “digital camouflage” version of its Shark Race-R Pro helmet (see here).
