Michele Pirro to run WSBK-inspired livery for Mugello MotoGP wildcard

Michele Pirro will wildcard at Mugello this weekend, but with a slightly different livery to that of his factory Ducati colleagues. 

Michele Pirro, Ducati MotoGP wildcard studio shot. - Ducati Media

DUCATI and Aruba.it have renewed their partnership through 2024 when the Italian domain hosting site will celebrate its 10th season of sponsorship of Ducati’s WorldSBK factory team. 

Additionally, this weekend Michele Pirro will debut Aruba.it as a title sponsor of his factory test bike which he will wildcard at three Grands Prix this year, starting with Mugello this weekend. Then, Aruba.it will reappear as a title sponsor for Pirro next weekend at the Catalan Grand Prix, and finally at the San Marinese Grand Prix in September.

“We are proud to represent Ducati on circuits around the world and to have renewed the agreement that will allow us to continue this adventure at least until the end of the 2024 season,” said Stefano Cecconi, CEO of Aruba S.p.A and Team Principal of Aruba.it Racing Ducati.

“From this season, participating as a wild card in three events of the MotoGP World Championship is for us a source of further satisfaction and it underlines the strong connection with the Borgo Panigale company,” Cecconi continued.

“We are truly satisfied with the long-term partnership that has bound us to Aruba.it for eight years,” added Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali.

Domenicali continued, “The agreement extension until 2024 confirms the quality of a partnership which has gone from strength to strength year after year from a business and sporting point of view. In addition to the extensive commitment to World Superbike, this season includes the new challenge in the Supersport World Championship and the satisfaction of seeing a Ducati racing in MotoGP with the Aruba.it Racing team colours.”

As for Pirro himself, the Italian has become a regular wildcard over the years, consistently performing well and generally interfering with the top runners. Q2 appearances have become a regularity, and even on occasion some starts from the front couple of rows. A ninth Ducati on the grid could certainly prove problematic for some GP regulars this weekend.