Paolo Ciabatti, former Ducati sporting director, had a fireside chat this winter 2022 with Manuel Pecino on his YouTube channel. The Italian of course recalls the importance of this vintage in the history of his brand, but he also points out that it opens the challenge of confirmation which will be the objective in 2023. He assesses his strengths by recalling that, at Ducati Corse, we often planned everything, except what was going to happen and that only history decided. He also has a word about Honda, whose weakness he identifies in the incredible strength of its leader Marc Marquez…
It's an exercise that never tires of Paolo Ciabatti and which consists of taking stock of this 2022 season to Ducati. A magical year if ever there was one for the Borgo Panigale brand: “ the season was super important, we won both titles » he recalls, including that of WSBK. “ In MotoGP, it was more complicated because we had started the season quite badly with Bagnaia, but we never lost faith ».
Paolo ciabatti mentions that the wait was long because the beginnings of this triumph were revealed in 2013 with Andrea Dovizioso et Andrea Iannone…: “ We had changed and become competitive ". Yes, but there was a phenomenon that systematically stood in the way… “ We were always second. The problem was sharing the climb with that of Marc Marquez, who was incredible ».
So, Jorge Lorenzo was recruited to shake up the hierarchy. And nothing went as planned: “ When we decided to sign Lorenzo, we thought we were ready to win the World Championship. But everything worked differently because it was Dovizioso who fought for the title until the end. With Jorge, it all started too late ", said Ciabatta on Motosan.
And then the misunderstanding was repeated: “ Ducati still thinks about having two competitive riders to win the world championship. In 2021 we thought of Miller to win, and Pecco to learn… » and we know what happened. In fact, for 2023, he is careful not to make a prediction, contenting himself with this observation on his new duo Pecco Bagnaia Reigning World Champion and Enea Bastianiani : “now we have the strongest team, but the most difficult to manage ».
Paolo Ciabatti: “ Honda relied heavily on the talent of Marc Marquez and in doing so, they lost focus«
Having these two fast and ambitious Italians in the same box in 2023 will be a difficult task for the Ducati sporting director. Ciabatta also remembers everything that happened this season and the fight between the two: “ pilots are selfish, and if a young rider can win with a competitive team like Gresini… there are times when the rider will not think about what is important for Ducati, but rather what matters for him and his team ».
Paolo ciabatti also talks about his other drivers on the Desmosedici promising in particular to Jorge Martin a bright future in sprint racing. And then there is the arrival ofAlex Marquez at Gresini. An interesting recruit, even if he recognizes that Ducati had thought of someone else… “ We started talking to Miguel Oliveira. We also examined the situation of Raul Fernandez. I think Alex is a good driver for Gresini and I think he will surprise. I don't think he'll talk much with his brother ». Who is none other than Marc, let’s remember.
Exactly, Marc Marquez... Ciabatta identifies it as the great strength but also the scourge of Honda. He explains : " he always gives 100% and beating him is a good goal. We prefer to win with a Marc Marquez in the championship. I don't know what bike he will have, but there is a young generation that goes very fast. Seeing that two Italian brands are among the best in MotoGP is quite rare. I think Honda relied a lot on Marc's talent, and in doing that they lost focus », he concludes. With this approach, the mention of Ciabatta on the fact that Ducati has always sought to have two competitive drivers within it takes on its full dimension.
