It's safe to say morale is high in the Ducati ranks after the Spanish Grand Prix. Francesco Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) third podium of the season sees the Italian lead the MotoGP™ World Championship for the first time, while teammate Jack Miller banished some early 2021 demons in Jerez with an emotional first Ducati victory – a first Bologna win at the legendary layout since 2006.
And Ducati wouldn’t be where they are without the tireless work of test rider Michele Pirro. This week, the Italian was at Mugello for a private test alongside Aprilia and Andrea Dovizioso, and Sky Sport MotoGP were able to catch a few words with Pirro.
“We are improving some aspects for the future,” commented Pirro. “We don't stop because even though we have shown competitiveness on all tracks, we don't let our guard down because our rivals are fierce.”
Due to Covid-19, MotoGP™ didn’t race at the iconic Mugello in 2020. Pirro was on-site to try to gather some information about tyres for the Italian Grand Prix, but the weather had other ideas. “Yes, unfortunately I'm sorry because we weren't able to do some good laps or in any case in dry conditions to understand the tyres, especially because we haven't raced here for two years and it would be important to understand how these new tyres work.”
Pirro then confirms he’s set to wildcard in two races this season: Mugello and Misano. In addition, Pirro comments on whether or not he thinks Dovizioso, who he worked so closely with at Ducati for a number of years, will wildcard for Aprilia alongside him at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
“Of course, I'll do the wildcard and having such a competitive bike will be important, I'll try to be ready and be competitive like the other riders,” said Pirro, about racing at the Italian Grand Prix.
“In my opinion now it's 50/50. Dovi is very focused on motocross at the moment. But maybe at dinner, with a bottle of wine, who knows if he says something more... But it would be nice since I'll do the wildcard at Mugello and Misano to have him on the track too. It would be a great challenge.”