The Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi said he believes Jorge Lorenzo will lose out when he leaves the team at the end of the season for Honda.
Lorenzo continued to pull himself back into the MotoGP title race after overcoming Marc Marquez to win the Austria Grand Prix at Red Bull Ring, in Spielberg, on Sunday. With his third win of the season, the 31-year-old rider is third in the standings.
Tardozzi, meanwhile, he now feels Ducati and Lorenzo made mistakes during their contract negotiations and believe the rider will start from zero with Honda next year.
“Marc certainly thinks he’s gaining from this, whether or not he is right, I don’t know. What I can say however is that Jorge will lose out for sure, because here he has found a family that follows him and a team that gives him what he wants.” Tardozzi said.
“In Honda he will have to start all over again and adapt more quickly than he did with Ducati. We’ve all made mistakes and we’ll all lose out. Who gains something is Honda. For sure we will be keeping things in mind for the future, we are not stupid.” Tardozzi added.
Jorge Lorenzo’s win in Austria lifts him to third in the overall standings. (Source:www.nst.com.my)
Honda had confirmed that Lorenzo will replace Dani Pedrosa in the Repsol-backed factory MotoGP squad. In next year, the Spaniard will become team-mate to Marquez. Both riders hoped will make a stronger team and contribute to the development of HRC.
“Jorge has done an incredible race in Austria, I think he now knows the Ducati. He listens to the engineers and can now ride it as he wants, braking very late.” Tardozzi said.
“I am convinced he will continue at this level in the next races. It will be a great disappointment to say goodbye to Lorenzo after these successes. We have given Honda a great rider, but he will remain a friend forever.” Tardozzi added.
According to reports, former Yamaha rider will be allowed to test with Honda bike in the post-season Valencia and Jerez tests in upcoming November.
“It’s good news for my interests, of course, and it shows how fair Ducati are. I am very happy.” Lorenzo said to reporters in Austria.
