Janice R. Andrews
Ducati has confirmed it won’t issue team orders to support Francesco Bagnaia’s championship pursuit, despite his 17-point deficit to Jorge Martin of Pramac Ducati. Team manager Davide Tardozzi stated that Enea Bastianini will be free to race for his own objectives in the season’s final events.
Bastianini, currently fourth in the standings and trailing Marc Marquez by 11 points, has expressed his focus on securing third place. “I’m racing without restrictions,” he stated, emphasizing his potential to climb to third position as the season concludes.
The decision reflects Ducati’s commitment to fair competition within its ranks. Tardozzi explained their position: “No discussions about team orders have taken place with Enea. Each rider is pursuing their individual championship positions, with third place naturally being more valuable than fourth.” This stance gains additional significance as Bastianini prepares for his move to KTM, while Marquez is set to join Ducati.
Arriving at Sepang, Bastianini carries momentum from his recent Thai sprint race victory and his previous success at the Malaysian circuit, where he won in 2022. He acknowledged recent setbacks, stating, “Marc and I have both made errors lately. I need to make up the difference before Valencia.”
Pramac’s team manager Gino Borsoi reinforced Ducati’s fair treatment, praising the manufacturer’s equal support despite Martin representing an independent team. Despite Pramac’s upcoming switch to Yamaha and Martin’s move to Aprilia, Borsoi praised Ducati’s consistent backing: “Ducati has provided us with everything needed to compete for the championship, setting them apart in the paddock.”
The strong relationship between factory Ducati and Pramac was evident when Borsoi and Tardozzi embraced following media discussions. This gesture followed Pramac’s teams’ championship victory and the factory team’s 2024 title secured in Thailand.
As the season approaches its conclusion, Ducati’s stance allows both Bastianini and Bagnaia to pursue their individual ambitions, exemplifying the manufacturer’s dedication to authentic racing competition. The upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix sets the stage for intense battles as riders chase their respective goals.
