The Japanese are trying to keep the Reggio Emilia team. Negotiations began with the Roman Fabio DiGiannantonio who waits for the end credits with Gresini Racing.
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« Rather than repeat a Superbike season like this, I will stop . » At the end of the month, in Jerez, Manuel Puccetti will end his team's darkest season since entering the World Championship. Months spent suffering among a whirlwind of riders, each more disappointing than the other, and fighting with a Kawasaki which is now struggling to keep up, even in the official version, not to mention the “satellite « . Puccetti Racing is a prestigious structure, which has won a lot in the entry categories by launching numerous drivers: Franco Morbidelli, Axel Bassani and many others, including Toprak Razgatlioglu which was practically born in the structure of Reggio Emilia, in terms of competition. How to get out of a situation like the current one?
Two options
Manuel Puccetti has two options on the table. The first is to buy a Ducati, the missile which, with Alvaro Bautista, crushes the Superbike. “ It's certainly a great bike, but only one wins, it's not like in MotoGP where four or five different riders win with the Ducati. I will be the sixth team with this bike. Maybe with a strong driver we could compete for a place in the top eight. » But in recent days, another possibility has presented itself: to stay within Kawasaki and have a ZX-10R completely factory. The managers of the Japanese brand do not like the idea of seeing one of the teams at all “historical” go under the banner of Ducati Corse. The hypothesis therefore arose of fielding three official motorcycles in the next World Championship: the two entrusted to the Provec team for alex lowes et Axel Bassani, and an additional one for Puccetti Racing. Which, moreover, still in the name of Kawasaki, will continue to lead Can Oncu with the aim of winning the Supersport World Championship. An official program, to be specified.
Fabio Di Giannantonio-Kawasaki, that sounds good!
By remaining faithful to the green brand, Puccetti would give continuity to the project and could offer its sponsors a valuable package: the official Ninja and a driver in the making, but already known. In fact, Manuel is talking to Fabio DiGiannantonio , who should leave his Ducati Gresini to Marc Marquez and, without alternative, would leave MotoGP. It would be a positive agreement for both: Puccetti would secure a young driver (24 years old) with undeniable qualities. On paper, it doesn't seem inferior to Bassani and Lowes. Thus, counting on the same technical package, Puccetti could also aspire to compete with the two “internal” drivers in a duel in green. A very captivating challenge, which could intrigue the many sponsors of the Reggio Emilia team.
There is also a regulatory implication
The possibility that the Superbike 24 regulations will be even more favorable to brands caught off guard by Ducati's excessive power also tips the scales in Kawasaki's favor. This was discussed at the MSMA headquarters in Portimao. If the Ninja were allowed to change camshafts, to name just one detail, some of the current gap could be easily recovered. Not changing brands could therefore also be wise in this area. “ We will decide on the programs by the end of October, that is to say at the last race of the World Championship in Jerez” assures Manuel Puccetti. Far from meaning the end, 2024 could therefore be the year of redemption...
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Paolo Gozzi
