Official: Petrucci re-signs for Ducati

Danilo Petrucci has been officially confirmed as remaining at the factory Ducati team for the 2020 MotoGP season.

The Italian was the only factory team rider with a contract expiring this year, but an extension was all but guaranteed after a debut MotoGP victory at home in Mugello.

Petrucci has claimed two other podiums, is one of only two riders to score in every round this season and currently holds third in the world championship behind Honda's Marc Marquez and Ducati team-mate Andrea Dovizioso.

"I'm very happy to continue with Ducati for another year," said Petrucci, who spent seven years as a satellite/independent rider before finally getting his factory chance. "It was my goal ever since the beginning of this new chapter, because we immediately found great chemistry with the team.

"In this first half of the season we were able to progressively increase our competitiveness, taking two podiums and an unforgettable win. To renew our collaboration before the summer break makes me even more serene and confident about the future.

"Now I simply want to stay focused and continue to improve as a rider to achieve even better results on track. We're third in the Championship, and we want to finish the season within the top three."

Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna added: "We're very happy to have reached an agreement with Petrucci and to continue to work together on track also next year.

"Danilo has shown his professionalism and talent ever since the first outings with the factory Desmosedici GP, and I believe his qualities are now clear to everyone, as evidenced by the strong results he already achieved this season, which culminated in a fantastic maiden win at Mugello.

"With Danilo on track alongside Andrea, our goal is our goal is to fight for the title, both in the Riders and the Manufacturers championships."

Petrucci's main opposition for the seat had been from Pramac's Jack Miller, who made a stronger start to the season, including a podium at round three in Austin.

But momentum then swung in Petrucci's favour and Miller (who has slipped to eighth in the championship) is now set to remain at Pramac for a further season, again using the latest factory machinery, with team-mate Francesco Bagnaia also getting a GP20.

The new one-year Petrucci contract means all ten factory MotoGP rides will be up for grabs at the end of next year.

Dovizioso is 37-points behind Marquez (and only 8 ahead of Petrucci) in the Riders' standings. Ducati is 22-points from Honda in the manufacturers' championship but leads the teams' standings by 45-points over Repsol Honda.