Ducati MotoGP 2016 – Paolo Ciabatti told Motorsport.com that Casey Stoner will not run in MotoGP, especially if he is not on track at Red Bull Ring. Periodically we talk about the possible return of Casey Stoner in a MotoGP race as a wild card. Every time he denies. Because the reasons for his withdrawal are still the same.
Ducati MotoGP 2016: Stoner was Free to Decide
This summer, most teams had two days of testing at Red Bull Ring with the Ducati MotoGP 2016 bike. In these tests, Stoner shared the track with the MotoGP official riders. It was the perfect opportunity to compete and to have a better idea about the results if he were returned to run in MotoGP. Ducati has never rejected this possibility. Indeed, Stoner was free to decide after the end of the test.
Now, it seems that the definitive answer. Casey doesn’t want to run with a Ducati MotoGP 2016 bike. “There isn’t a strategic marketing behind it. In negotiations with Casey we had never spoken of the possibility to run a GP. His contract talks about only two tests. What happens is that when you see him get on the bike and you realize how much he is still fast, immediately you want him on the track again.” said Ciabatti. “So, we could not rule out this possibility. But if he didn’t race in Austria, he won’t do it again.”
Only a Tester
Stoner is a Ducati tester. Ducati Italian is very happy. Of course, he is considered the fastest test rider, although his influence on the development of the bike is still not entirely clear. A few weeks ago, Andrea Dovizioso recognized it in an interview. “Casey is not like Michele Pirro, who is fully involved in the development of the bike. He did some testing and gave his opinion, but I’d say its impact this year has been low. Because he wasn’t always here.” said Dovizioso. After Andrea Iannone had injured his back at Misano, Pirro had commitments that would prevent him from racing in Japan and Australia. So, Stoner was another occasion to return to the track. Once again, Ducati offered him to run. But finally Hector Barbera took the place of the Italian rider.
“He’s a Value” (Paolo Ciabatti)
Which is exactly the Role of Stoner? For Ciabatti, he is a real value. “We use it as an Ambassador. A very important role in the year of our 90th anniversary. Also, in the early months of the season, we have involved in some technical decisions on the Desmosedici. Now, it’s up to him to decide what role he wants to play. If he wants to live in Australia, to fish and to stay on the farm, Casey can’t increase his responsibilities.” concluded Ciabatti.
