Ducati boss Paolo Ciabatti has confirmed Jorge Lorenzo will be allowed to ride the Honda at the post-Valencia Grand Prix tests in November.
Lorenzo signed a two-year deal to join Honda alongside Marc Marquez next season, the news being announced just days after he took his maiden Ducati victory at Mugello in June.
With the two-day test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit the traditional first time riders test the machinery they will ride the following campaign, questions were raised if Ducati would allow the Spaniard to join to join the Japanese marque in Valencia.
Ciabatti confirmed to motogp.com Ducati will allow Lorenzo to test the RC213V in Valencia, and at Jerez the following week, though he will run without any branding as he is still under contract to Ducati through to the end of the year.
“Concerning Jorge, we will obviously let him test with Honda, his new team,” Ciabatti said.
“This is quite normal and in the end he will be a Ducati rider until the last race in Valencia, but then there's no reason not to let him test with the new team.
“Obviously, there will be restrictions on branding to respect our sponsors, but he will be free to do the two tests in Valencia and Jerez with his new team.”
Pramac's Danilo Petrucci will step into Lorenzo's place for the test in Valencia at the end of the season, with the Italian replacing him in 2019. Moto2 championship leader Francesco Bagnaia will fill the spot vacated by Petrucci at Pramac.
Lorenzo currently sits third in the standings after beating Marquez to victory in a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix battle, his third win of the year, and has moved ahead of teammate Andrea Dovizioso by a point.
Marquez extended his points lead to 59 points at the Red Bull Ring, with Ducati duo Lorenzo and Dovizioso 71 and 72 points adrift respectively.
Discussion about this post