The Ducati chose not to renew a partnership with Jorge Lorenzo in MotoGP, leaving it free for 2019 (he eventually signed with Honda). The formation of Borgo Panigale preferred to keep Andrea Dovizioso with an improved contract and bet on the services of Danilo Petrucci, who has seen in the Pramac.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, the Spaniard spared no criticism of Ducati for not believing in himself. Faced with this, according to Lorenzo, Ducati preferred to end the relationship to make a bet on raising Dovizioso’s salary and hire Petrucci:

– Ducati did not believe in my words that there really was not much left. I told Dall’Igna or Domenicali. I was missing that little piece that would physically allow me to be quick throughout the race. They should have thought they had a world champion and try to give me what I needed. Instead, they thought to raise the salary of Dovizioso, who was winning some races and sign a cheaper strong rider.