At Yamaha, things are in order, with Honda, the matter is settled and Suzuki has closed the file for two years. The drivers chapter within the top factory teams no longer concerns only Ducati. And it comes down to a tense negotiation that begins with Andrea Dovizioso. An old acquaintance since he arrived after the departure of Valentino Rossi. The results are not bad with three consecutive world vice-champion statuses over the last three seasons. But it's not mad love and we'll also have to deal with a crisis that will reduce budgets. However, for manager Simone Battistella, if this last aspect is indeed to be evaluated, it is not the main thing…
Now that the 2020 season is expected to launch at Jerez on July 19, the driver market is gaining speed. The case of Valentino Rossi will be completed and that of Franco Morbidelli shortly before him. During this time Andrea Dovizioso et Ducati are under discussion. And yet, not a single race took place. A paradox ? No, and Simone Battistella explain why: it's already too late. “ waiting for Jerez would at best take us into the second half of July and it would be too late to start talking. »
« Furthermore, these would be conversations based on one or two races, moreover carried out on the same track, after a long break: it would therefore be a situation of uncertainty on the value that can be given to a pilot or a motorcycle. The first two hypothetical races at Jerez are on a track with certain characteristics that favor or disadvantage certain riders and bikes, so judging on that basis would be of little use. We might as well start talking between the end of May and the beginning of June » assures the manager of Dovizioso.
In fact, its flagship driver seemed to wonder about the rest of his career during confinement. An impression that he wants to erase from people’s minds: “ Andrea wants to race in the right conditions, so within a project and a structure in which he believes, this is a fundamental aspect. There is no reason to think about an imminent withdrawal. » The motivation is therefore always the same while the basis of the negotiations revolves around the project and the conditions: “ the history between Ducati and Dovizioso is very important for both of us »Assures Battistella.
“We must give fair value to performance”
Certainly, but talking about the environment also means highlighting the complicated relationships between DesmoDovi and Gigi Dall'Igna : " certain tensions can result in a positive result, because we are comparing very strong characters who have a common goal, that of winning. There may be a difference of opinion, the important thing is to be able to channel these energies in search of a result ". A real manager's speech, consensual, soothing... But the money in all this? Wouldn't it come into play? it would be so beautiful… “ We must give fair value to performance: the rider, the team and the bike. Money is only a problem when the driver feels his value is not recognized. »
He specifies : " you must be objective in admitting that we are in a special situation and that, most likely, the economic resources of the teams for the next contracts will not be those of last year. This also applies to sponsors. However, the money problem is secondary to the project, I work with pilots with whom I talk about money after talking about technical projects. »
The manager ends on GP One : " Dovizioso is calm about his future, he wants to evaluate all options. » So he would have others. And he would thus be in a position of strength. Which is not the case for his other foals, like Baldassarri in Moto2: “ Moto2 riders will have to wait until the end of August or early September to see if there will be any places available in MotoGP. » Which is far from being won…
