Paolo Ciabatti, the sports boss at Ducati, made a quick reminder of the rules before taking up residence at the Red Bull Ring which will host, this weekend, an Austrian Grand Prix which will mark the thirteenth stage of this MotoGP season. A necessity, apparently, since rumor has it that a campaign with only two Yamahas will only be a one-year hiatus, before a new satellite team appears in the form of a big event: the reunion with Valentino Rossi , via his team of which he is the boss, VR46. But that won't happen...
Lynn Jarvis barely raised an eyebrow when he learned that Razlan Razali would turn his back on him at the end of this season by giving him back his Yamaha M1, to make room for new Aprilia RS-GP. He did not notice that, under his leadership, the racing department of the tuning fork brand found itself for the first time in ages alone on the starting grid, with its two factory motorcycles. But to change things up, a rumor spread that it would only be a 12-month break before returning to a four-member workforce in 2024. And in a good way, since Yamaha would reconnect with his World Champion in 2004 and 2005, then 2008 and 2009 Valentino Rossi thanks to his team VR46.
Yes but no… First, the Doctor’s half-brother Luca marini has already indicated that, for the future of the team, it was better to keep Ducati. An evaluation that hurts the image Yamaha , once courted to offer a user-friendly M1 but which today only reveals itself in the hands of fabio quartararo. In the meantime Ducati has established itself as the motorcycle for everyone…
And then, it was quickly forgotten that there was a contract signed with the Borgo Panigale factory. The terms of which are thus recalled by Paolo ciabatti on speedweek : " we have a contract with the VR46 team and an obligation that includes 2024 », underlines the Italian. “ I don't know what will happen next. Then we will have a new situation. But we are currently in the middle of a three year contract. The team is happy and the VR46 pilots are happy with the results they are getting ».
Paolo Ciabatti Ducati: “ Yamaha had a customer team and they lost it«
Ducati has eight bikes on the MotoGP starting grid and before these numbers are used as a reproach, Paolo ciabatti recalls how we got there: Ducati only seized the opportunities left by the competition: “ I understand that it is not an ideal situation for the championship in the medium and long term if certain factories cannot find a customer team ».
And he clearly states the facts: “ on the other hand, Suzuki didn't want a customer team when we agreed with Valentino. And Aprilia might not have been so attractive a year ago. That's why we decided to sign Valentino Rossi's team. That's all I can say about Yamaha. They had a customer team and they lost it ". And it's that simple.
Yamaha will therefore have to look elsewhere than to Tavullia if it wishes to have a new satellite team in 2024. Meanwhile, at Ducati, we are recovering good pilots likely to ensure the future. Alex Marquez will arrive from Honda in the Gresini den where Fabio Di Giannantonnio works to blossom. Marco Bezzecchi As for him, he is growing in power and encouraging Luca marini to grow further, while bastianini et Martin enter the exclusive club of safe values.
Regarding succession, Ciabatta slip a word on Raul fernandez who worries about the future of the 2 Moto2021 world vice-champion: “ when we realized he wouldn't get a release from KTM if he didn't pay penalties, we lost interest ", explained the man Ducati Corsica. “ It's a shame because he has great talent. What he did last year with his eight Moto2 wins as a rookie was incredible ». KTM seems to have learned the lesson of George Martin who escaped from Mattighofen's family to head towards Ducati by paying a penalty that is not very dissuasive since it is estimated at 80.000 euros. The price has since increased with Raul fernandez. And if he discouraged Ducati, chances are he won't encourage Aprilia...
