Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

Pramac boss weighs in on Ducati-Dovizioso contract saga

Pramac MotoGP boss Francesco Guidotti believes that it is "clear that something is wrong" between Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati, with the two parties still yet to agree a 2021 contract.

Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team

Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

On the eve of the delayed MotoGP season, the long-running contract saga between Ducati and Dovizioso remains unresolved, with talks having stalled over money and unlikely to resume until after the opening rounds of the 2020 campaign.

Dovizioso's manager Simone Battistella recently suggested that Dovizioso is prepared to spend 2021 on the sidelines if he is not presented with a satisfactory offer.

Guidotti believes that the situation shows that the Ducati-Dovizioso partnership, which is entering its eighth season this year, is faltering.

"If after seven or eight years together they still need to wait for the season to start and some races to happen, it is clear that something is wrong," Guidotti told Sky Italia.

"When a couple falls out of love, it's almost always the responsibility of both parties. A lack of communication and not making things clear sometimes leads to these situations. Even so, I hope for an agreement between the two."

On the prospect of Dovizioso taking a sabbatical, he added: "I think it is risky, even knowing that history suggests that offers made while during competition are sometimes more interesting than contracts at the beginning of the season."

One of Pramac's current riders, Jack Miller, will make the step up to the factory Ducati outfit next year, effectively replacing KTM-bound Danilo Petrucci.

Francesco Bagnaia is expected to remain at Pramac next year alongside the recently-signed Jorge Martin, but Guidotti says he hopes to see Bagnaia make a strong start to the 2020 season in order to completely safeguard his place in the team.

"For Pecco, and also for us, this season is a challenge," said Guidotti. "His renewal is almost certain, but it's not done.

"We like the idea of putting pressure on him, in a good way. For this reason, we are hoping for the best possible start to the season."

Francesco Bagnaia, Pramac Racing

Francesco Bagnaia, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Crutchlow: Aprilia MotoGP move would be a “great deal”
Next article Crutchlow not interested in Honda's WSBK offer

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA