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The factory Ducati Team has shown off the livery which Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia, and test rider Michele Pirro will race with in the 2021 MotoGP season.
The look which the Desmosedicis will carry is an evolution from 2020, with even more red and more prominence for Lenovo, the squad’s new title sponsor.
What is therefore officially now known as the ‘Ducati Lenovo Team’ is all-change as far as its full-time race riders are concerned, with both Miller and Bagnaia brought up from Pramac Racing.
The former’s motorcycle features his trademark #43 coloured in with the Australian flag, but now also with the addition of a silver fern in a nod to his New Zealand parents.
“The emotions I felt seeing my all-red Desmosedici and wearing my new suit for the first time were incredible,” said Miller.
“I still have to realise that I’ll be part of the official Ducati Team this year.
“It’s taken a long way to get this far, and finally being ‘in red’ gives me a great sense of satisfaction, but also the right motivation to continue working with commitment and dedication towards my future goals.
“I am looking forward to this new adventure and will try to get some important results this season.”
Bagnaia, who continues with the #63 he has had since debuting in MotoGP in 2019, said, “This will be a significant season for me because for the first time I’ll be wearing the colours of an official team.
“I’m proud to have achieved this first goal, and this year I will set my sight on even greater results. It has always been my dream to become part of the official Ducati Team.
“I will try my best not to disappoint any expectations. I’m sure I have all that I need to be competitive right from the start and aim high.”
As in Formula 1, MotoGP took measures last year to largely freeze technical specifications for 2021.
For Ducati, as well as the other three manufacturers which did not enjoy concessions at the start of 2020, that includes using the same engine for a second season.
Ducati Corse’s general manager, Luigi Dall’Igna, is nevertheless confident that it has made its bike better in the off-season after winning last year’s constructors’ title.
“The start of a new season is always a special moment, and this year even more, as we have a completely new team,” he said.
“We have two new riders with us, Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia. Both are extraordinarily talented, they’re young, but they have already a lot of experience on our bike.
“Jack and Pecco have great potential, and I think that together we can fight not only to defend the Constructors’ Title won in 2020, but we can also aim for the Riders’ Title.
“As per this year’s regulations, we cannot modify some of the bike’s components. Still, during winter, we have been able to work on many other aspects to improve our bike’s competitiveness and be ready to start the new season.”
Pirro will be in action when the Shakedown Test is held at Losail on March 5, before Miller and Bagnaia are allowed to test at the Qatar venue on March 6-7.
