The 2020 season has not yet started and its start is hoped for July 19 at Jerez. But the transfer market never closed. Confinement or not, the negotiations continued, and were successful, as Suzuki brilliantly showed by retaining the loyalty of its two drivers Rins and Mir in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Spanish duo was preceded by Marc Márquez who signed for four more years with Honda, and by Yamaha, who anchored Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo in their camp for two years. And Ducati? By waiting, the decision will impose itself, which is not necessarily good for the brand...
Paolo ciabatti took stock of his possible options for building his team for 2021 and beyond. A quick assessment, because the sports director of Ducati recognizes that he does not have much room for maneuver, except to indulge in the game of musical chairs between his five drivers already under contract…
He explains thus: “ if we look at the other drivers who have not yet signed a contract for the upcoming season, we don't see anyone who stands out at the moment » comments the Italian who therefore rules out a possible opportunity Pol Espargaro... " This means that the best MotoGP riders available for the future are already in the Ducati family ", recognize Ciabatta.
He therefore takes the opportunity to take a close look at this club of five: “ we have Andrea and Danilo in the factory team. On the other hand, we have Jack and Pecco, plus Johann at Avintia » recalls the Italian. “ We haven't made a decision yet. However, we think that if we had continuity on at least one side of the box it would be a good thing. It will certainly be a while before you can ride a Ducati at the front of the MotoGP World Championship. We saw during the winter tests that Zarco gradually increased his pace. But you can't jump on the Desmosedici and win right away, especially if you have experience with other bikes »
“Jorge Lorenzo is not a candidate for us”
The Frenchman, who has everything to prove at Ducati, is therefore not at the top of the list… But can’t an opportunity still come from outside the inner circle? All eyes are obviously turning towards a former pilot… But Ciabatta puts an end to all illusion: “ for us, Lorenzo is out of the question. He signed for Yamaha and he only wants to be a test rider and not compete in a full season again. This may be the best method for him. He can have fun riding a motorcycle. But no, Jorge is not a candidate for us » he assures Günther Wiesinger of Speedweek. com.
And the next generation? Still too fresh… “ Fast riders may appear in the Moto2 World Championship this year, but they will not be considered for a factory MotoGP team. A factory team has a different goal than a customer team that is supposed to create talent. In the factory team you need drivers who can win races straight away. We have some of this variety under contract. Finding better ones is not easy. Therefore, thoughts for the Ducati factory team for 2021 are limited to the five riders we already have under contract »
The latest rumors present the negotiations between Ducati and Dovizioso like a delicate part and a Jack Miller who holds the rope to move from Pramac to the factory team. As for Petrucci, he could even go to WSBK…
