In the middle of the European round, Ducati plans to field Michele Pirro as a wildcard for three races this year, starting with his home race this weekend, the Italian Grand Prix. The Borgo Panigale constructor has detailed the entire racing program for its test driver, who will also be entered in the Catalunya Grand Prix, scheduled a week after Mugello, and in the second appointment to be held on Italian soil, the Grand Prix of San Marino to be held in early September.
In recent seasons, Pirro had in his appearances in the World Championship with a motorcycle with the same colors as the official team. However, this year, the Desmosedici will wear a new decoration in the category, making a nod to Aruba.it, as does the Ducati of the official WorldSBK team. The prototype of the Italian will be entered as well as Aruba.it Racing MotoGP, after that. the manufacturer and its sponsor have extended their agreement until 2024 and extend it to different categories.
“Starting this season, participating as a wildcard in three MotoGP World Championship races is pure satisfaction for us and shows the strong connection with [Ducati],” said Stefano Cecconi, CEO of Aruba.it and team principal participating in WorldSBK. .
In addition to his role with Ducati in MotoGP, Michele Pirro also races in the Italian Superbike championship, a category he leads and is already a five-time champion. He is not the only test rider regularly competing in MotoGP races: since the start of the season, Honda has fielded Stefan Bradl at the Spanish GP, but the German had already driven in Argentina to replace Marc Márquez while he recovered . For its part, Aprilia has entered Lorenzo Savadori in Portimao and Jerez.
Meanwhile, at KTM, Dani Pedrosa continues with his facet as a test rider, but remains uncertain of a new appearance in a competition weekend , after competing last year in the Styrian Grand Prix, his first MotoGP race since his start. Retired from the sport at the end of the 2018 season.
