It will be determined in 2021 one year extension at Ducati given the significant drop in the average age of Borgo Panigale riders in MotoGP. Miller and Bagnaia will replace Dovizioso and Petrucci in the official team, Zarco will join youngster Martin in Pramac and in Esponsorama the equally young Marini (with the colors of Sky Racing Team VR46) and Bastianini will be there. Paolo Ciabatti is also a supporter of this rejuvenation process who, as he told our colleagues at Speedweek, has a lot of confidence in his young people, especially in Bagnaia.
“Bagnaia Had a very difficult 2019 season at Pramac as a rookie on the Ducati. If you compare his performance back then with Quartararo on the Yamaha, then you have to say that Pecco has definitely won more than Fabio in Moto2. But a rookie has a harder time on a Ducati than a rookie on a Yamaha. “ said Ciabatti.
An analysis of the Bagnaia season is a must, however, as the Turin-born driver finished the championship with just 47 points, versus Miller 132.
“Pecco finished seventh in the first race in Jerez. At the second Jerez GP he would have finished second if his engine hadn’t been damaged. Then he fell in Brno and was injured for three races. Five weeks after the lower leg surgery, he came back to Misano and finished second in the first round of the World Championship. A week later he fell there in the lead. Viñales would never have caught up with him again. But of course: you have to finish the race … It can be said that Pecco’s start to the season was fantastic. He drove the Ducati great. After Misano, Pecco had more falls, lost a bit of self-confidence and then never found the 100 percent feeling with the bike. But we are confident that he has a lot of talent. We are confident that he can get on the podium and even win races. “
There was a surprising start to Bagnaia an excellent end to the season for Miller: “Jack ended the season impressively. Unfortunately, after three years, he is still looking for his first victory on the Ducati. But with him and Pecco we have a young, motivated and balanced driver line-up for the works team. “