Ducati unveiled its 2023 MotoGP team and strategy at a launch event held at a ski resort in Madonna di Campiglio, Northern Italy.
The main attraction of the event was seeing reigning World Champions Pecco Bagnaia and Alvaro Bautista, who were fierce competitors on the track last year, now united under the same team and sharing their aspirations for the upcoming MotoGP season while wearing the number-one plates.
Bagnaia and Bastianini, who shared 11 wins between them in 2022, have a long-standing history of competition dating back to their days of racing pocket bikes. However, both riders emphasized the importance of working together to achieve success in the upcoming season.
“We want the same thing, and we will do the maximum to achieve it. So, the battle between us will be intense, but we have to be intelligent and respectful to have a good relationship,” said Bagnaia.
Director Speaks Out
Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti also stressed the increased responsibilities that come with being on a factory team for Bastianini, who previously competed for an independent team.
“When you’re in a factory team, you’re going to have the same material, the same technical support, but also responsibilities that maybe you don’t feel in an independent team,” he said.
In addition to competing in the same team as the World Champion, Bastianini must also adapt to Ducati’s GP23 as well as the new squad around him. His crew chief of the past two years, Alberto Giribuola, has defected to KTM and will be replaced by Marco Rigamonti, who was previously Johann Zarco’s right-hand man.
Bastianini acknowledged that it may take some time to foster a relationship with his new crew chief but is motivated and excited for the challenge.
The Ducati Management
The Ducati management also revealed that the team has no plans to revolutionize its MotoGP racer for the upcoming year, instead the team plans to continue with an evolution of the bike that won the triple crown in 2022. General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna explained, “[In previous years] we had to take a lot of risks. But last year taught us some breaks from development can help us.”
Ciabatti further explained that the team will focus on minor improvements such as increasing horsepower and revising aero packages. “We don’t want to disrupt the whole balance we have in the bike. If we can get around three, or four horsepower more, always welcome. Some other areas we’re working on.
The aerodynamics will have some new ideas to be tested in Sepang. But the ’23 bike is basically going to be an evolution of the ’22 bike. If you look at the numbers—12 races won, 16 pole positions out of 20—this means don’t fix something that isn’t broken!”
Bautista, who will also sport the number one on his bike, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, “I’m so happy to be here and to be a part of this team. It’s a great honor to be the World Champion and to wear the number one plate. I can’t wait to get back on the track and defend my title.”
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