Ducati Corse MotoGP Archives

Shell and Ducati Celebrate 21st Year of Collaboration with Renewal of Technical Partnership

Shell and Ducati have collaborated for 21 years.
They started in World Superbike before joining MotoGP, as well.
They renewed the partnership to celebrate.

Shell and Ducati are two brands symbiotic with each other.

Time flies and it’s been 21 years of collaboration between the petroleum giant and maker of exotic motorcycles. To celebrate that union, Shell and Ducati announced the renewal of their technical partnership, on the eve of the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The partnership began in 1999 during Ducati’s age of dominance in the World Superbike Championship. Since then, they have celebrated championship titles together. Shell followed Ducati when the manufacturer ventured into MotoGP in 2003.

The technical partnership extends beyond the racetrack. Each motorcycle that leaves the Ducati factory at Borgo Panigale in Bologna, Italy is filled with Shell V-Power petrol and Shell Advance engine oil. As such, Ducati recommends Shell fuels and Shell Advance engine oils to Ducati owners.

Back on the track, the awesomely powerful (the most powerful MotoGP bike, in fact) Desmosedici GP uses Shell Advance engine oil. Shell then introduced the new Shell Advance with PurePlus Technology to the bikes four years ago.

MotoGP organisers limit fewer and fewer engines year after year, in an effort to cut down on spending to encourage more teams to join. The effect of this ruling is that manufacturers must make their engines more reliable. Using more engines than the allocated units will result in penalties, which no team regardless of position needs.

Releasing the full potential of the fierce Desmosedici GP’s engine is one thing, but the engine oil must also play an essential and critical role of ensuring reliability. How many times have we seen Ducati MotoGP bikes break down due to engine trouble? Virtually none.

The partnership has secured more than 200 wins in both WorldSBK and MotoGP and they will continue to win more.

MotoGP: Lorenzo rules drama-filled Mugello race

Defending MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo charts third win of the season in drama-filled Italian MotoGP.

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MotoGP:Andrea Iannone signs with Suzuki

Outgoing Ducati MotoGP rider signs new two-year deal with Team Ecstar Suzuki.

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MotoGP:Andrea Dovisioso remains in Ducati for 2017

Ducati confirms that it will retain Andrea Dovizioso for the 2017 MotoGP season.

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MotoGP: Perfect French GP for Jorge Lorenzo

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo keeps title hopes alive after perfect outing in French GP.

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MotoGP: Marquez’ rodeo in Texas

Marc Marquez dominates MotoGP race in Austin, Texas for fourth time in a row and extends lead in championship standings.

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MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo ‘almost’ certain to join Ducati

Much-speculated move from Yamaha to Ducati looks imminent for defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

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MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo rumoured for a move to Ducati

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo rumoured for a possible switch to Ducati.

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MotoGP: Lorenzo wins Qatari desert duel

Defending MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo claims sensational win in season-opening Qatar GP race.

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MotoGP: All system go for Qatar

MotoGP returns to Losail, Qatar this weekend for its 2016 season opener.

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Casey Stoner returns to Ducati

Retired MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has left the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to re-join the Ducati team as a test-rider and brand ambassador.

The move was officially announced recently and sees the Australian reconnecting with the team that granted him his first MotoGP world champion’s title back in 2007.

Stoner’s move away from HRC test-riding duties was long rumoured in the past few months, but both the Australian and HRC opted to officially announce his departure sometime just last week. In the process, the folks at HRC also stated their thanks and gratitude towards Stoner and his contributions over the last few years as a HRC test-rider.

After retiring from MotoGP in 2012, Stoner continued as a test-rider for HRC, but only rode sporadically since then, spending no more than a couple of days annually astride a Honda GP bike. Sources report that the move was made for two reasons, the first of which being the fact that the Australian kept good ties with the Italian team even after leaving it for HRC and secondly was the timely arrival of Gigi Dall’Igna as the head of Ducati Corse that made a return to Ducati even more attractive.

Presently, Ducati confirmed that Stoner will mainly focus on private tests and not riding in any of the official 2016 pre-season test sessions in Sepang, Phillip Island or Qatar. Whilst the prospect of Stoner returning on-track astride a Ducati GP bike for a wildcard outing appears to be slim, Ducati fans can instead rejoice at the fact he will be reappearing at next year’s World Ducati Week 2016 festivities in Bologna, Italy.

Sources: Asphaltandrubber and Visordown

MotoGP: Lorenzo dominates Friday practice in Sepang

Movistar Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo kick-starts 2015 Shell Malaysian MotoGP weekend at the top of the time sheets.

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