Ducati claim “we don’t like team orders” - but will they make demands?

Ducati will order their army of riders not to engage in “super-aggressive attacks” against each other in a ploy to help Francesco Bagnaia to the MotoGP 2022 championship, says Paolo Ciabatti.

James Dielhenn

05 Sep 2022

Francesco Bagnaia, MotoGP race, San Marino MotoGP, 4 September

Bagnaia is 30 points behind Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo, who leads the standings, after winning his fourth race in a row at the San Marino MotoGP.

There are six remaining - raising the possibility that Ducati could issue team orders and use their numerical superiority to thwart Quartararo.

“We don’t like team orders but, obviously, we also have to think about winning the rider’s championship,” Ducati sporting director Ciabatti told BT Sport.

“We’ve only won once, with Casey Stoner in 2007, a long time ago.

“It is possible. We go to tracks where we will be competitive.”

Ducati have Enea Bastianini, Jack Miller and Johann Zarco among their riders battling for podium spots and race wins.

Gresini Ducati rider Bastianini engaged in a stunning final lap shootout with Ducati Lenovo’s Bagnaia at the San Marino MotoGP, which Bagnaia won.

It was a highly risky duel which might have backfired - and might have convinced Ducati to ask their riders not to repeat the wheel-to-wheel action.

Ciabatti said: “We won’t try any super-aggressive attacks on the last lap if we are first and second, because there is the risk that somebody will crash which would not be good for any of the riders!

“If somebody can win, maybe don’t try on the last corner to pass him. That’s what we need to clarify.”

With six rounds remaining, Quartararo’s main hopes for victory could be at Phillip Island and Thailand.

“In principle, you may be right,” Ciabatti said. “But we haven’t been to Phillip Island for years and our bike has improved.

“The bike has improved to the point where it can be competitive anywhere.”