The 2015 season got underway officially for the Ducati Team today, with Andrea Dovizioso and his new team-mate Andrea Iannone out on track at the Valencia circuit on their Desmosedici GP14.2 machines.
Both riders carried out chassis testing and were able to accumulate some useful information for the development of the new Desmosedici GP15, which will make its debut next year. The two factory riders today concluded their testing at Valencia, while Michele Pirro, test-rider for the Ducati Test Team, will continue his workload as scheduled for the next two days.
Andrea Iannone completed 39 laps on his first outing in Ducati Team colours, setting a quickest time of 1’31.465 and finishing the day in fifth place. His team-mate Andrea Dovizioso managed to do 46 laps with a best time of 1’31.644, seventh overall today, while Michele Pirro finished in ninth position after setting a best time of 1’32.054 over 37 laps.
Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – 5th 1’31.465 (39 laps)
“Today I am very happy because my first day as factory Ducati Team rider has finally arrived! I began to work with my new team and, even though we didn’t make any big changes from our race weekend, we were able to verify a number of different chassis solutions and understand what we need to do for the future. At the end of the month we will be testing again at Jerez and then I hope to spend a nice winter and get into perfect form for the new year!”
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 7th 1’31.644 (46 laps)
“Today we tested a few things with the chassis that we were not yet able to test on the Desmosedici GP14.2, and this work will all be useful as experience for next year. Today’s times are not to be taken as a benchmark but all things considered we went quite well.”
Michele Pirro (Ducati Test Team #51) – 9th 1’32.054 (37 laps)
“It was a positive day for me, apart from my crash towards the end of the session. It’s a pity because I was going well and I could have improved on the time I set in qualifying on Saturday. Today we made further improvements with the electronics and, even though there are still a few parameters that need to be sorted out, I am satisfied. Tomorrow and Wednesday we will continue our development work here at Valencia.”
