MotoGP News: Dovizioso's Ducati contract talks still stalled

Dovizioso's current deal with Ducati is up at the end of the year, but discussions over a new deal have stalled as both parties disagree on the financial aspect of the contract - with Ducati against offering him another big-money deal in the wake of the current economic crisis caused by coronavirus.

In recent weeks, rumours linking Dovizioso to a switch to KTM have surfaced, though the Austrian brand's boss Pit Beirer has quelled this by stating his sights are set on maintaining all current KTM-contracted riders.

• Dovizioso's MotoGP contract saga
• Ducati 'needs Dovizioso more than he needs them'
• KTM casts doubt on Dovizioso switch for 2021
• Suzuki: Ducati shouldn't drop Dovizioso for 2021
  

Speaking to Autosport, Dovizioso's manager Simone Battistella said: "At the moment, we have no proposal from Ducati.

"Everything will depend on the tone and the approach that Ducati makes.

"In other words, the percentage of the salary that Andrea intends to subtract [for 2021].

"Isn't it true that this year we went from 19 grand prix to 20 [on the original calendar] and that did not increase the number [on contracts] for riders?"

After romping to six wins in 2017 and finishing runner-up in the standings, and remaining Marc Marquez's closest world title rival in the seasons since, Dovizioso's contract went from being worth an estimated €1.5million to €6m.

Ducati would like to firm up its line-up for 2021 at both its works team and the satellite Pramac squad in the next month, with the factory pairing likely to be Dovizioso and Jack Miller should a deal be able to be reached with the former.

Should this prove to be the case, Petrucci's future would be thrown into uncertainty, with the one-time MotoGP race winner recently rumoured to a World Superbike switch with Ducati.

In an interview with Autosport, Petrucci states his main focus is still on MotoGP, where be believes he is capable of achieving more victories.

"I haven't thought about it yet, also because this proposal hasn't come to me," he said when asked about a potential World Superbike move.

"But I think I can win in MotoGP, I don't say the world championship, but I showed that at least I took home one race and I would like to do it again.

"It is clear that I would like to continue in MotoGP, but with a competitive bike, to try to fight for the top positions.

"If this is no longer possible, I will have to look around and maybe continue in Ducati, but in Superbikes.

"Let's say, I prefer to focus on 'Plan A' [MotoGP] and try to complete it."