Petrucci Set To Replace Lorenzo At Factory Ducati Team

In a not so shocking turn of events, it has emerged that Danilo Petrucci will be replacing Jorge Lorenzo at Ducati’s factory MotoGP squad for the 2019 season.

This MotoGP rollercoaster started when it was reported earlier this week that Honda will be parting ways with Dani Pedrosa at the end of 2018 after completing 13 seasons together. Pedrosa’s replacement would be Jorge Lorenzo, who is set to leave Ducati.

It has been reported that Ducati's CEO Claudio Domenicali personally made the decision to hand Petrucci the keys to his new Ducati ride. A two-year agreement was reached last weekend at Mugello. Petrucci's team-mate Jack Miller was also said to be in contention to replace Lorenzo. But it has now been confirmed that Miller will remain at Pramac in 2019 along with incoming Moto2 champion Francesco Bagnaia.

After his win at Mugello, Lorenzo confirmed that his relationship with Ducati has come to an end. He was quoted saying: "My story with Ducati is over; it's a question of self-esteem."

"My future is already decided and this result will not change it.” he added. "A part of me is sad because I know that with this bike I could have fought to be a world champion, which is why I came here. Now it's too late. There is nothing to be done.

"I kept telling people inside the team to believe in me, to bring me what I asked for. They have done it, but too late.

"I have the impression that Gigi (Dall'Igna, technical boss), Paolo (Ciabatti, sporting director) and Davide (Tardozzi, team manager) wanted me to stay. But I do not hold a grudge."

According to reports, Petrucci had a strong offer from Aprilia, an offer that will now likely end up on Andrea Iannone's table, who confirmed his departure from Suzuki at the end of this season.

Rumour has it that Lorenzo had secured the Honda deal even before Ducati had made a final decision not to keep him. The Spanish rider was also working on a potential satellite Yamaha deal, which more likely will go ahead with Pedrosa now.