After Andrea Dovizioso’s departure at the end of 2020, Ducati implemented a cost containment policy that had a direct impact on what had been its most recent rider recruitment policy.
Astronomical wages such as those of Jorge Lorenzo, who in just two seasons (2017 and 2018) pocketed 30 million euros, have given way to a wild reduction following the outbreak of the pandemic and its related effects.
So much so that, last year, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer covered the basic salaries of all its drivers (the official drivers, those of Pramac and Enea Bastianini) with three million euros. Figure to which the bonuses agreed based on the results were added.
With the additions of Jorge Martin and Bastianini, the Bolognese manufacturer believes that his needs are covered on the driver front. On the one hand they have Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller in the official team, with Martin and Johann Zarco in Pramac and Bastianini in Gresini Racing.
The good results of Bagnaia (vice-champion in 2021) and Martin (one victory and four podiums at the debut) mean that, in view of 2022, the basic salary of all the drivers is around 4.3 million euros.
Between this and the potential that exists at home, Ducati is not thinking of looking elsewhere, despite the opportunities that the market could generate, with a Fabio Quartararo quite disappointed by the lack of Yamaha developments and with a Joan Mir who complains of not having a valid interlocutor in Suzuki.
“Ducati’s intention is to set up the factory team starting with the riders we have available. This means that we will not sign anyone from outside,” Ciabatti told Motorsport.com.
“The riders we already have in the Ducati group are the future of the company. And this applies to both the factory team and Pramac, but also to the rest of the independent teams,” added the Italian manager.
Ducati plans to finalize the biennial renewal of Bagnaia before the start of the next championship in Qatar, in less than a month (March 6). The Turin-born is sure of his place, especially after last year’s great season, in which he finished in second place, with four wins and nine podiums.
Miller’s case is a different matter, because the intention is to wait to see the evolution of Martin and Bastianini, who are candidates for the second red Desmosedici GP. “In this sense”, explained Ciabatti, “we have to choose who we believe are the best two drivers to form the official team. Those who offer us the best guarantees of being able to win the World Championship”.
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