Marquez, Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini are all within the operating for a coveted seat on the works Ducati group subsequent 12 months, because the Italian producer weighs up which rider to place alongside double champion Francesco Bagnaia.
Though Ducati initially had reservations about Marquez becoming a member of its satellite tv for pc Gresini group this 12 months, it will definitely gave the Spaniard the blessing to trip a year-old GP23 – and it has solely grown keen on him since then.
The 31-year-old’s star standing, historical past of profitable a number of titles and his method in the direction of racing makes him a beautiful choice for Ducati, though it’s also conscious of the influence it may have on the concord of the group.
The Borgo Panigale marque has indicated that the identification of Bagnaia’s team-mate could possibly be revealed as early as subsequent month’s Italian Grand Prix, and one one that will play a key function within the determination is its basic supervisor Dall’Igna.
Petrucci is aware of Dall’Igna nicely from his time at Ducati in 2019-20, a stint that yielded race wins at Mugello and Le Mans, and he thinks Marquez is finest positioned to earn a manufacturing unit promotion subsequent 12 months.
“I haven’t got any inside data, however I’ve a hunch that Marquez will go there,” Petrucci advised GPOne. “I do not know if there can be any issues with the vitality drinks sponsorship [Marquez is a Red Bull-backed rider while Ducati is sponsored by Monster].
“However from what I perceive – which I might really feel for Enea – Gigi Dall’Igna would not let a rider like Marquez get away.
“He led Ducati to victory as a result of he’s relentless in his methodology of reasoning, within the sense that he’s relentless in pursuing his purpose.
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
“Gigi will be likeable or dislikeable, however he has led Ducati to be the reference in MotoGP. Figuring out his method of reasoning, I feel he needs to search out out what a rider like Marquez can do on his bike.”
Marquez and Bagnaia fought tooth-and-nail for victory within the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez final weekend, with the latter finally popping out on prime of their epic duel by simply four-tenths of a second.
Petrucci questioned whether or not Bagnaia would need his unofficial number-one standing at Ducati to be jeopardised by the arrival of Marquez.
“Contemplating that Pecco is in an unimaginable second and that he has at all times made the distinction when wanted, I do not know if he’ll like Marc’s arrival,” he mentioned.
“Perhaps that is additionally one thing to keep in mind right here, the human aspect contained in the field. They might be two nice champions, every doing their obligation.”
Ought to Marquez get the second seat at Ducati, it might come on the expense of Bastianini, whose first marketing campaign with the group in 2023 was closely impacted by accidents.
Pramac rider Martin additionally had made it clear that he would settle for nothing apart from a manufacturing unit trip at Ducati, having made it clear he has carried out every part he may to persuade the bosses he’s worthy of a promotion.
Martin is main the championship forward of this weekend’s French GP, and in addition completed runner-up to Bagnaia final 12 months.
“I really feel very sorry for Enea, as a result of for my part, he has not carried out in addition to he may have carried out with out the harm final 12 months,” Petrucci mentioned.
“I do not suppose he has reached his full potential on the manufacturing unit Ducati and I hope he does.
“It is clear that Martin want to trip that bike, and he deserves it, and I might additionally like Marco Bezzecchi to trip it, I encourage him.
“In the long run, they’ll consider the outcomes, it will not be simple, however the one factor I hope is that they do not make hasty choices, primarily based on the second.”
