Gigi Dall’Igna has confirmed Ducati will attack the 2019 MotoGP world championship with two riders working together rather than “two riders who think independently” as the Italian targets the teams’ first titles since 2007.
Following two consecutive years as MotoGP runners-up with Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati looks to start afresh after dropping Jorge Lorenzo and promoting Danilo Petrucci from the Pramac Ducati squad for 2019.
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Petrucci has moved close to Forli where Dovizioso lives to work alongside his new team-mate while also training together and having the same doctor and sports psychologist.
It marks a contrast to its past where Lorenzo, and to an extent Andrea Iannone before him, were often direct rivals to Dovizioso which created a combative environment rather than a collaborative and constructive situation which Ducati chief Dall’Igna is targeting this season.
“One of the things we have definitely changed is the rider strategy,” Dall’Igna said at Ducati’s MotoGP team launch. “We have chosen to move from two riders who think independently of each other, acting in their own interest, regardless of the good of the team, to a system that, if possible, will attempt to optimise the overall results of the team.
“I'm not talking about team orders, but I'm talking about the synergy in the development of the bike, and in the setup of the bike during the race weekend.”
Having witnessed Dovizioso’s hunger for the MotoGP world title, Dall’Igna sees the backing and continuity in the 32-year-old as the team’s lead rider will be key to its title challenge along with support from Petrucci.
“Andrea has been with Ducati since before my arrival, so he knows the people very well, and our way of working,” he said. “I would like to underline that the continuity is one of the most important things in our world, the racing world.
“He did some great races last year, like in Doha, like in Brno, in Misano, and even in Valencia, but above all, he has finished second in the last two world championships, and he has the determination to do better. This is what we want to do all together.
“Danilo has an important story with Ducati. He has been with us since 2015, he did many great races and has podiums with us. He didn't win any races, but this has to be his main target for 2019, together with the possibility to fight for the podium in all the other races.”
