Revolution 'not necessary' at Ducati, according to new boss
Ducati's new MotoGP boss Bernhard Gobmeier says he will build on the team's existing strengths rather than making a complete fresh start
Gobmeier supplanted Filippo Preziosi at the end of last season as Ducati reshuffled its staff following its acquisition by Audi and its lack of success with Valentino Rossi.
"We will try to base everything on the good things we have - which have to be kept and remain," Gobmeier said at the Wrooom media event, attended by AUTOSPORT.
"We'll analyse all the deficiencies in the technical side and organisational side and we will improve on that.
"I hate to use the word 'revolution' quite a bit because in history we know revolutions destroy everything - the good and the bad - and we try and keep the good parts as much as we have."
He agreed with riders Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden that Ducati needed time to improve, having not won a race since the 2010 Australian Grand Prix.
"We see development not just as a quick step in and quick step out, it is a long-term commitment from Ducati, and a long-term commitment from parent company Audi to be in MotoGP," Gobmeier underlined.
"Racing is the DNA of Ducati and we will continue in these ways. This year will be a strong development year, with the goal of achieving results but certainly we are aware that to catch up with the established elite of MotoGP, it needs a lot of work and a lot of dedication, and some time."
Gobmeier added that Ducati needs to come up with a more 'rider-friendly' bike, with only 2007-10 rider Casey Stoner having felt consistently comfortable on the Desmosedici in recent year.
"When you have five riders on it, it should suit every rider, it should not be a wild beast that only Casey Stoner can ride," said Gobmeier.
"We will never make a super-easy rideable bike, it will always have Ducati genes in there.
"We have to make it more rideable, more forgiving and more average in that respect without giving up the genes of the Ducati."
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About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Teams | Ducati Team |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
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