same material, the same techni-
cal support, but also responsibil-
ities that maybe you don't feel in
an independent team. I expected
it to be more manageable [than
it was] last year, because when
you're racing for an independent
Ducati team, there is probably
always an extra motivation to
compete with the factory guys."
As well as competing in the
same team as the World Cham-
pion, Bastianini must adapt to
Ducati's GP23 as well as the
new squad around him. Alberto
Giribuola, his crew chief of the
past two years, has defected to
KTM. Marco Rigamonti, formerly
Johann Zarco's right-hand man,
is now in the Italian's corner, a
relationship that may take some
time to foster.
"The first contact with the '23
bike [at Valencia in November]
was good, and I think I will be
closer and in the next test when
we try some new parts," said
Bastianini, who acknowledged
improving his speed in the early
laps of the race is a priority for
the year ahead. "I have a new
crew chief this year and my ap
-
proach during the test at Valen-
cia was cool. We know during
the season can arrive some
problem, but I have to always
stay focused. The factory [team]
approach will be a little bit differ-
ent. But I'm not nervous about
this, only motivated and super-
charged!"
The presentation also re-
vealed Ducati has no plans to
revolutionize its MotoGP racer
for the upcoming year, hinting
it has learned valuable lessons
from the past. "[In previous
years] we had to take a lot of
VOLUME ISSUE JANUARY , P43
Pecco Bagnaia (left)
and Enea Bastianini
(right) were officially
introduced as Ducati's
MotoGP teammates.
