Honda ropes in Lorenzo; Ducati promotes Petrucci for 2019

- Pedrosa and Honda end partnership after 13 years

- Lorenzo signs a two-year deal 

- Lorenzo’s position at Ducati to be filled by Petrucci 

Honda has roped in three-time MotoGP world champion, Jorge Lorenzo, to replace Dani Pedrosa. Ducati, on the other hand, has promoted Danilo Petrucci from the Pramac satellite team to fill Lorenzo’s position.

Lorenzo moved to Ducati in 2017 after an eight-year stint with Yamaha, where he won his three MotoGP titles. He also has two 250cc World Championship titles under his belt. However, his performance on the Ducati hadn’t been very encouraging, and his only win with the team came last weekend at Mugello. For the 2019 season, the 31-year-old Spaniard will be moving to Honda, riding alongside four-time MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez.

Ducati will be filling the void left by Lorenzo with Petrucci. The 27-year-old Italian has been with Pramac racing since 2015. He came eighth in the last season, which has been his best finish in the premier class championship so far. Having scored a seat on the factory Ducati for the next season, he will partner 2017 season runner-up, Andrea Dovizioso. 

Pedrosa has been with Honda for 13 years, ever since he entered the 250cc World Championship in 2004. He had won the two seasons in this category, before graduating to MotoGP with Repsol Honda. Since then, he finished second in the championship thrice, although could never clinch the world title. So far, Pedrosa hasn’t made any announcement about his future plans.