Lorenzo: My priority is results over contract

Jorge Lorenzo is focusing on kick-starting his 2018 MotoGP campaign rather than locking down a new contract while he admits if he is to leave Ducati it would be disappointing.

The three-time MotoGP world champion appears to be a key figure in the current rider market with links to re-signing with Ducati as well as a rumoured move to Suzuki. Lorenzo, who joined Ducati from the factory Yamaha squad at the start of 2017, has struggled to live up to expectations at the Italian manufacturer with three podiums throughout last season while teammate Andrea Dovizioso claimed six wins and two further rostrums as he challenged for the world title.

As attention turned towards Lorenzo’s future during the build-up to the French round at Le Mans, the Spanish rider deflected thoughts on contracts by focusing on his immediate plans to fight towards the front after a promising Jerez race ended in a collision with Dani Pedrosa and Dovizioso.

“I think with the circumstances, with not such a good feeling with the bike, and the bad luck we had in Jerez meant we couldn’t demonstrate ourselves to get a good result or our true potential and the position that we deserve,” Lorenzo said.

“Let’s hope that the next tracks we can make good results happen and then we will be in a better position to negotiate. My priority for this moment is trying to finish what I started so I have confidence in Ducati that they can make a bike which fits better in the future to my riding style and I can be as competitive as in the past. It is a two-part thing but both parts must be willing to continue.

“For me, it will be disappointing to close something that is not finished but I know everything is possible. My focus and my idea is to try to be competitive and to try to fight for wins with this bike and I think I can do it.”

Lorenzo felt Jerez represented a breakthrough melding his riding style to the GP18, having led the early laps while crashing out fighting for the podium places after Marc Marquez had stormed ahead, and is eager to carry that potential at Le Mans this weekend - a circuit he's performed strongly at during his MotoGP career.

“I’m still adapting my style and adapting the bike,” he said. “In Jerez you could see I was very determined and very aggressive and that is the way of the Ducati to make the big turn more and improve.

“They are working really hard, Ducati, but the new chassis has some good points and some worse points that now we want to disappear and profit from the good points. That’s why in Jerez I was competitive and why in Mugello I was quite quick [in a private test] and probably that will be why I can be quick here.”

Lorenzo has recorded five MotoGP wins at Le Mans, plus a 250cc victory in 2007, putting him one race win behind all-time wins leader Giacomo Agostini at the French Grand Prix.