NO PADDOCK FOR OLD MEN
Joan Mir wants a MotoGP ride and it could come at the expense of Lorenzo or Iannone
The 2019 silly season fired into life at the French Grand Prix, with the paddock rife with rumour and speculation. The rumours coincide with a number of high-profile factory team rider confirmations which means it’s looking likely that some of the sports biggest names could be left without a ride next season. Confirmed deals will see Andrea Dovizioso, Alex Rins and Aleix Espargaró remain with Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia respectively for two more years. But while they might have secured their futures, their signings have left a scrabble for the remaining seats on offer. Jorge Lorenzo is looking increasingly likely to be on his way out from the factory Ducati team. Beaten on Sunday by both satellite Pramac Ducati machines, the Spaniard is reportedly coming close to admitting that his experiment with the Italian manufacturer has failed in just the same way that it did for Valentino Rossi. Lorenzo continues to be linked to a seat at Suzuki alongside Rins, replacing Andrea Iannone on the GSX-RR. Unlikely to find anywhere near the same financial reward he’s currently earning at Ducati (around €12 million a year), there could be a solution for both parties if personal sponsor Monster Energy links up with the Japanese manufacturer as their title sponsor. Monster are understood to be looking for a new team after Monster Tech3’s move to KTM in 2019 (which means Red Bull sponsorship). However, the deal looks a little shakier now than it did two weeks ago thanks to reigning Moto3 world champion Joan Mir’s proclamations in Le Mans. Taking his first Moto2 podium, he’s made it clear that he’s keen to make the move to the premier class next year, with his manager telling media at the weekend that such a move is “90% likely” to happen in 2019.
With Mir linked to a factory seat at Suzuki and at Repsol Honda, it could give the remaining teams their pick of the paddock, with Lorenzo and Iannone joining Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller and Dani Pedrosa fighting for limited spaces at Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia. And should Lorenzo make the move from Ducati, strong results of late for both Jack Miller and Danilo Petrucci further complicates things for management in Bologna.