Pramac Ducati has confirmed that Michele Pirro will replace Danilo Petrucci for the Argentinian MotoGP race and any future events until the Italian is fit to return.
Petrucci broke his second, third and fourth metacarpals following a crash during pre-season testing at Phillip Island and although he was back on his bike for Qatar first, second and thirs practice, he pulled out of the race after a further X-ray showed a "dislocated bone segment".
Petrucci will undergo further surgery on Monday ahead of the second round in Argentina, but will not compete and could miss further races with Pirro standing in.
"Michele Pirro will replace Danilo Petrucci on Octo Pramac Yakhnich Ducati Desmosedici Gp," confirmed a statement.
"The Ducati test rider will be present in Argentina for the second 2016 MotoGP round and will run until the return of Petrux who has undergone surgery on his right hand again on Monday."
