Marquez, Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini are all within the working for a coveted seat on the works Ducati crew 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 crew 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 possibility for Ducati, though it is usually conscious of the affect it may have on the concord of the crew.
The Borgo Panigale marque has indicated that the identification of Bagnaia’s team-mate might be revealed as early as subsequent month’s Italian Grand Prix, and one one that will play a key function within the resolution is its common supervisor Dall’Igna.
Petrucci is aware of Dall’Igna properly from his time at Ducati in 2019-20, a stint that yielded race wins at Mugello and Le Mans, and he thinks Marquez is greatest positioned to earn a manufacturing facility promotion subsequent 12 months.
“I haven’t got any inside info, however I’ve a hunch that Marquez will go there,” Petrucci advised GPOne. “I do not know if there might be any issues with the power drinks sponsorship [Marquez is a Red Bull-backed rider while Ducati is sponsored by Monster].
“However from what I perceive – which I’d really feel for Enea – Gigi Dall’Igna would not let a rider like Marquez get away.
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“He led Ducati to victory as a result of he’s relentless in his technique of reasoning, within the sense that he’s relentless in pursuing his objective.
“Gigi will be likeable or dislikeable, however he has led Ducati to be the reference in MotoGP. Understanding his method of reasoning, I believe 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 ultimately popping out on high 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 stated.
“Perhaps that is additionally one thing to bear in mind right here, the human facet contained in the field. They might be two nice champions, every doing their obligation.”
Ought to Marquez get the second seat at Ducati, it could come on the expense of Bastianini, whose first marketing campaign with the crew 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 facility trip at Ducati, having made it clear he has performed every thing 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 in my view, he has not carried out in addition to he may have performed with out the harm final 12 months,” Petrucci stated.
“I do not suppose he has reached his full potential on the manufacturing facility Ducati and I hope he does.
“It is clear that Martin wish to trip that bike, and he deserves it, and I’d additionally like Marco Bezzecchi to trip it, I encourage him.
“In the long run, they are going to consider the outcomes, it will not be straightforward, however the one factor I hope is that they do not make hasty selections, primarily based on the second.”