While Yamaha played on velocity by outpacing everyone with Maverick Vinales et fabio quartararo, and while Honda surprised with a four-year contract renewal for Marc Márquez, Ducati had more difficulty choosing among its five official riders Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia and John Zarco.
Petrux was pushed towards the exit, or the Superbike, Dovi took an infinite time to sign his contract, and it was finally Jack Miller who did the right thing by being the only one guaranteed for the moment to be part of the team. factory in 2021. But the Australian only had an agreement covering only one season with the Ducati Corse team.
Many Italian fans were surprised by the arrival of Miller within the official team, to the detriment of Danilo Petrucci, winner of the Italian Grand Prix last year on a Desmosedici, which is not a little in the hearts of the tifosi.
“Unfortunately, in life, and in the life of leaders, we have to make choices, even more difficult if they concern a person we love. But we have to do it, we have to put aside the emotional aspect and think about the best situation for our team” explained Paolo Ciabatti to Moto.it.
“Our intention was to wait until the Spanish GP to make an evaluation of our drivers based on the results of the first five races, to see what would be the best solution for the future. »
“It was not possible, and we thought that Miller, for his growth seen in recent years and in the second part of 2019, for his age, could be the right driver for the official team. We expect it to continue to develop. »
“We had to make a choice between Danilo and Jack: it was unpleasant, but we felt that Miller could have the characteristics to improve further. »
If no deal is reached with Dovizioso, would Petrucci be part of Ducati's plans or is this a closed chapter?
“It's not a closed chapter, although in the meantime Danilo may have reached an agreement with Aprilia or KTM. If we do not find an agreement with Andrea, our decision will be to wait until the start of the championship and take stock after a certain number of races and evaluate the drivers who are still free. »
Miller only has a one-year contract. For what ?
“In an ideal world, it wouldn't be bad for teams to have more flexibility and the ability to make certain choices. In this particular case, we found ourselves choosing Miller without having seen him race in 2020: he is a driver with high hopes, but who has not yet confirmed his growth, and signing today for two years would not have been correct. »
“We discussed it with him: it is clear that a driver prefers a two-year contract which protects him more, but in his case he understood a situation and saw it as an incentive to prove that he deserves the official team in 2022.”
“It was a way to protect the company with a decision taken before the races even started. The negotiation with him and his manager was quick, simple and mutually satisfying: for us, having such a motivated rider, who sees the official team as an arrival and departure point, gives enthusiasm to the whole team. environment. »
Where is the Pramac team?
“The objective is to confirm Pecco Bagnaia and we have an interest in Jorge Martin. We have to follow certain steps: for now the idea is this: Pecco had a difficult 2019 season, this year he has an official bike identical to that of Dovizioso, Petrucci and Miller. We expect him to show his talent and overcome the problems of last year. But it's still early to know. »
Photos © Pramac Racing
