Casey Stoner, Ducati's only MotoGP champion is back in the Ducati pit testing the new GP16 Ducati, which was also tested thoroughly few days ago by Ducati development rider, Michele Pirro. Casey marked his return at a private test at Sepang, Malaysia today.
The Australian is returning to Ducati as a brand ambassador and test rider after winning a second crown for Honda before retiring at the end of 2012. He then participated in occasional HRC MotoGP tests and the Suzuka 8 Hours. Casey took to the Malaysian track shortly after 11am, completing a short run on last year's GP15 Ducati.
Stoner is testing alongside Ducati development rider Michele Pirro who recently did 50 laps on the motorcycle. “Casey will find a machine that is very different to the one he used to ride,” said Paolo Ciabatti, the General Manager of Ducati. “He will start with the GP15. Considering that we have many references with this machine, Stoner’s feedback will be extremely interesting. The GP16 presents some evolutions in terms of chassis and other things that I prefer not to reveal. Dovizioso and Iannone will have a GP16 each plus the GP15. After this first test, we will decide if Casey will join the factory riders during the three-day test session scheduled from Monday.”
MotoGP is switching to Michelin tyres and adopting a single ECU system for 2016. The track is open until 6pm, with Stoner and Pirro also testing the bikes tomorrow, to be used by factory racers Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso. The official MotoGP test then starts on Monday morning.
Courtesy - Ducati
