Ducati delays deciding Lorenzo's teammate until after Mugello

Just like most of the paddock, Ducati is also keeping a close eye on the decision Maverick Vinales could make over the next few days, the Spaniard having spent the last week considering whether he will continue with Suzuki or move to Yamaha.

Based on what the Spanish rider decides, the rest of the pieces of the puzzle should quickly start falling in place, and most likely beginning with one of the two Andreas who currently share the Ducati garage, Iannone and Dovizioso.

Both Carlo Pernat and Simone Battistella - Iannone's and Dovizioso's respective agents - traveled to Le Mans. Neither of them received a renewal offer from Ducati, despite the Italian marque's insistence that it would be one of its two current riders who would partner Lorenzo.

That stagnation is not a coincidence, just the opposite. Ducati is going through a very delicate situation after having enjoyed a great pre-season. 

However, all the work done during the winter was compromised from the start. Iannone crashed at Losail, but the low point came in Argentina, where the Italian took his teammate Dovizioso out on the final lap, when both were set for a podium.

Between them, the two have accumulated six crashes - three each - a dismal streak that is obviously reflected in the standings. Iannone is 10th and 65 points behind Lorenzo, while his namesake is 11th, 67 points adrift.

Ducati doesn't want to rock the boat

Ducati, which arrived in Qatar as a solid candidate to win races and be one of the stars once again, is preparing to race at home in the worst possible moment.

At Mugello, Ducati doesn't want any trouble, and that's why there is a big chance that the second rider for next year will not be announced until after the grand prix.

"They don't want any trouble in Italy," a source close to the situation told Motorsport.com. "This race is very important for Ducati, and now they need to stay focused to get the best possible result.

"That means staying quiet on who will partner Jorge. If they tell them before Mugello which one will stay, both will probably be angry.

"One because he has to find another team, and the other because the renewal offer will be low (Dovizioso is currently making around 3m euros and Iannone about 1.5)," adds the source.

In the paddock, most are convinced that Ducati prefers to keep Iannone given his youth and his image, although no one is safe having a teammate who calls himself 'The Maniac'.