Both Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller have contracts with Ducati until the end of 2022, but if the Italian gets noticed this first year, the Australian is at risk due to the performance of Jorge Martín, the season’s best rookie.
In Bologna Miller won two races and was on the podium three times in his debut season with the official team, but given the numbers of his team-mate Bagnaia, the Australian loses everything: four wins, five podiums, six poles and is a pursuer, runner-up, runner-up. Bagnaia has therefore secured the place if he decides to renew.
As for the other point … Jorge Martín is on the sidelines, not least because Miller has more MotoGP and Desmosedici experience than Bagnaia, but he was still behind his team-mate. And Martin took four poles, one win and three podiums.
What the number 43 lost in the eyes of the Borgo Panigale leaders this year was won by Jorge Martín, which heightened Ducati’s interest in having a pair of riders on the official team of Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia in 2023.