Ducati: Moto3 'important', first 'we must complete the job' in MotoGP
It's a story that has been rumbling since 2016, 💖but Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna is 'still convinced' it's important for the factory to eꦜventually join the Moto3 World Championship.
"I think [Moto3] is the most important class to devel🍸op the rider and to uꦫnderstand the potential of the rider," Dall’Igna said.
"So I'm still convinced that for Ducati, to join that class is important, bꦡut first of all we have to complete the job in MotoGP."
Completing the job means winning the MotoGP title after finishing runner-up with Andrea Dovizioso☂ for the past two seasons, behind Honda's Marc Marquez.
But what does Dall’Igna think Ducati is missing to finally claim its first MotoGP crown since Casey Stoner in 2💧007?
"I think that we've c🌼losed the gap in terms of speed in the middle in corner," he said. "In the past we were struggling quite a lot.
"Now for sure we've reduced the gap with Honda - and not only Honda - i✤n that area, but without losing anything in any other riding phase.
"But🐎 still I think that we 𝐆have to push to improve [more] in that area."
With the As🃏par 😼team selling its grid places to Sepang Yamaha, there will be two less Ducatis on the grid in 2019.
Dall’Igna said the loss will be felt financially rather than technically, but that they will gain in terms of simpl🌃ification since the remaining six machines will be either GP19 or GP18 s♓pec, compared to the three models on this year's grid.
"Next year we have two bikes less, this for sure is a shame in terms of money becauꦰse for sure to have more teams helps us in terms of economics," said the Italian.
"But in the end we've simplified the system because until 𓄧2018 we had three specs on the grid and this is not easy to manage [spare parts etc]. For next season, we just have three riders with 2018 bikes, another t𒊎hree with 2019 bikes.
"So for sure we gain less money, but in terms of simplification this is a step forward and I always prefer to see the gl🦋ass half full!"
The lat🗹est GP19s will be used by fac🦹tory team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci, plus Pramac's Jack Miller next season.
Miller's rookie team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, plus Avintꩵia's Tito Rabat and Karel Abraham will have this year's GP18s.
Meanwhile, MotoGP rivals Honda and KTM♉ are the only manufacturers currently taking part in the Moto3 class.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen 🐈Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
