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While everyone is out racing on the track, it’s Saturday fever also in the managers' offices, as rider market movements continue at Mugello with a series of official announcements and rumours abounding in the paddock. Aprilia has announced the renewal of the contract with Aleix Espargarò and Maverick Vinales, while Fabio Quartararo’s future is in Yamaha and official confirmation could arrive in Barcelona in the best of cases, in the worst at Sachsenring.
There is also another question that may soon have an answer: who will be in the factory Ducati team alongside Bagnaia? Bastianini is in pole position to wear the Borgo Panigale red.
This was also confirmed by his manager Carlo Pernat during our Bar Sport last night (you can see it above in full): "Martin realises that he doesn’t have much of a chance of going to the official team, Enea will be there 70-80%" .
At this point it would seem automatic to think that Jorge will remain in the Pramac team, but there may be some news on the horizon. In fact, Honda is talking, as confirmed by Alberto Puig, with Joan Mir, but is also thinking about Martin. The HRC team manager has long had his eye on Jorge, a talented young rider who is not afraid to take risks. A style that could be well-suited to tame the RC213V.
Not to mention the fact that relations between the Spaniard and Ducati are beginning to show cracks. Just re-read his statements yesterday: "throughout the year I have not found a bike that I like, mine is completely different from Bagnaia’s and Bastianini’s. With this engine I have not found any positive points and with the new fairing I’m losing on the straight, I go worse everywhere ”.
Ducati has already made an offer to Martin for the next two years, similar to Bastianini's: a guaranteed factory bike and a team to be decided. The signature, however, does not seem to have been applied yet, so in theory Jorge could decide to change.
Going to Honda and sharing the garage with Marquez is not an easy decision to make, but Mir could find an obstacle in his path towards that seat.
