Ducati is planning an expanded role for its 2007 world champion Casey Stoner as part of a bold bid for the 2017 MotoGP title with star signing Jorge Lorenzo.
Ducati Corse boss Gig Dall’Igna is leaving nothing to chance and wants Stoner to add a technical consultancy to his current role as the world’s fastest test rider.
The move is way of building a stronger link between Stoner’s experience and understanding of what is need to be fast and the engineering team developing the 2017 Desmosedici.
Ducati’s one and only MotoGP World Championship was won by Stoner in 2007 and they have invested massively in snatching triple world champion Lorenzo from Yamaha to repeat that win.
Ducati signed Stoner to a two year deal for 2016 and 2017 in anticipation of him playing key role in their championship assault.
“I understand where the engineers are coming from in testing so I think I can be a gateway between them and the riders, sometimes I see things out on the track from a riders view that are not always obvious on the computer data,” Stoner said.
“I’m interested and talking to Ducati about it, I just need to keep a lifestyle balance with my family and traveling.”
Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti said the factory are hoping to schedule additional test days using Stoner in 2017 with the first planned for Sepang in Malaysia in late January.
Stoner was present as a consultant when Lorenzo made his debut aboard the 2017 prototype Ducati at Valencia following the final race of the season won by Lorenzo in his final appearance on the M1.
“It is important for Ducati to have Casey inside the company to work more closely with me and our technical department, his experience can help speed up the development process,” Dall’Igna said.
“As Casey did at the Phillip Island test and Qatar this year he can suggest bike improvements just by looking at the riders on the track.”
Stoner remains a Ducati icon having won 23 MotoGP races, and the 2007 world title, in four seasons with the Borgo Panigale factory.
By Colin Young