Photo: motogp.com
Casey Stoner joining once more the ranks of Ducati makes headlines again, adding to the existing rumors that he might have had enough with Honda.
This time, one of the Ducati officials has openly confirmed that Borgo Panigale is interested in Stoner and talks have been initiated. Davide Tardozzi, the Ducati MotoGP head of logistics, declares that Bologna has talked to Stoner about a possible future job at Ducati Corse.
Tardozzi is, however, saying that things were only discussed, with no plans laid out yet, and, certainly, without any papers involved in the process. The only thing that is sure, the Ducati official says, is that Casey Stoner does not want to return to racing.
In the past, more Ducati top brass have expressly said that, despite Stoner's involvement with Honda, there will always be an open door for him at Bologna, should he ever consider such a move.
Ciabatti adds that Ducati is patient and is not willing to try and rush things. Everybody at Ducati knows that Casey Stoner is under a contract with Honda, but that contract is set to expire at the end of the year, which means that in one and a half months, the Australian could make a move if he so wanted.
The first pre-season test is already underway at Valencia, so if Casey Stoner indeed becomes a test rider for Ducati, he has plenty of time to get acquainted with the GP16, a machine that is so different from the "unrideable" bike he used to ride back in the day.
Time will tell if the Stoner-Honda relationship grew indeed cold to the point of breaking up, but if the MotoGP Legend becomes a Ducati test rider next year, it will definitely not be a surprise at all.
Tardozzi is, however, saying that things were only discussed, with no plans laid out yet, and, certainly, without any papers involved in the process. The only thing that is sure, the Ducati official says, is that Casey Stoner does not want to return to racing.
Ducati offered Stoner a test rider job, but are patient to see his contract with Honda expire at the end of the year
Paolo Ciabatti also talks about this issue and confirms that Ducati Corse is interested in having Stoner back wearing the Borgo Panigale livery, but as a test rider for the company's MotoGP program.In the past, more Ducati top brass have expressly said that, despite Stoner's involvement with Honda, there will always be an open door for him at Bologna, should he ever consider such a move.
Ciabatti adds that Ducati is patient and is not willing to try and rush things. Everybody at Ducati knows that Casey Stoner is under a contract with Honda, but that contract is set to expire at the end of the year, which means that in one and a half months, the Australian could make a move if he so wanted.
The first pre-season test is already underway at Valencia, so if Casey Stoner indeed becomes a test rider for Ducati, he has plenty of time to get acquainted with the GP16, a machine that is so different from the "unrideable" bike he used to ride back in the day.
Time will tell if the Stoner-Honda relationship grew indeed cold to the point of breaking up, but if the MotoGP Legend becomes a Ducati test rider next year, it will definitely not be a surprise at all.
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