Dovizioso: “I won’t miss Iannone’s lack of respect”

Jorge Lorenzo’s arrival at the Italian manufacturer in 2017 marks the start of a new era for the team, as Iannone lost out to Dovizioso in the battle to partner the three-time champion in 2017.

It’s a switch Dovizioso, who has previously accused Iannone of not being a team player, believes will be “positive for everyone” in Ducati.

“From the mid-season something clicked, which allowed me to finish the season in a positive way after a middle part when things were not going so well,” Dovizioso told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Then, the change of teammate will be positive for everyone. We finished the season close to the best and this should encourage us to think big."

Asked if he would miss Iannone’s input at Ducati, Dovizioso replied: “No. One on the hand, he served as a stimulus for me, since he is a very fast rider and I liked having him as a teammate.

“But the attitude of Andrea and his entourage… for me, respect for people is important, and his entourage, and especially him, do not have it.”

Ducati’s sporting director Paolo Ciabatti recently suggested that Lorenzo can win on his debut for the Italian marque in Qatar, given how well Dovizioso has performed there in recent years.

But the Italian does not believe winning at Losail is critical for the team.

“I was second [in Qatar] for the last two years, but winning there is not important, because we want to fight for the championship,” said Dovizioso.

“There is still a small step [left to make], but the work of the last years has been good, so if we continue like this…”