Ducati has revealed a plan to run up to four modified 2013 bikes under the changed MotoGP™ regulations of 2014.
From the start of next season, factory outfits will be able to supply machines to private teams which will be able to run according to the 2014 rules, allowing them several differences when it comes to technical regulations.
“Since the new rules came out for next year, where it is actually possible for a full MotoGP bike to run in what would have been the CRT class – using the single ECU and single software – we are considering to make available the 2013 bike with this package,” Paulo Ciabatti, Ducati’s MotoGP Project Director, explains to motogp.com in an exclusive video interview.
“It has an advantage in terms of fuel; they will have 24 litres while the full MSMA MotoGP entries will have only 20, 12 engines instead of five and no frozen development for the engines.
“We think it could be an interesting package for some of the private or satellite teams and we are working on this plan. Ideally, we think we will make four available. We are discussing with some teams but nothing has been decided yet.”
Hoping to make final decisions on the matter by the Laguna Seca race weekend, Ciabatti confirmed that up to eight Ducati bikes (four as factory entries and four running as customer machines) could be on the grid next year.
“Theoretically, yes, but at the moment we are still talking to different teams and also talking to Pramac; it has been a long relationship with Paulo Campinoti and his team and we will obviously first find a solution with Pramac about next year and then discuss with other teams,” the Italian added.
Ahead of next season, Honda has put forward a proposal for running a 'production racer', although Ducati’s plan differs in that it intends to run modified versions of its current machine complete the universal Magneti Marelli ECU software.
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