Ducati: Extra help for Zarco - if he shows results

If Johann Zarco 'shows us he can do good results' at Avintia Ducati, the Italian factory will respond by channelling extra support in his direction during the upcoming MotoGP season.

That was the pledge made by Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna, who was instrumental in convincing the Frenchman to join Avintia after Zarco's initial concerns that it was 'not a top team'.

Avintia was ranked eleventh and last in the 2019 MotoGP teams' standings, with Tito Rabat and Karel Abraham scoring a combined total of just 32 points.

Although the revised line-up of Zarco and Rabat will again race year-old (GP19) machines, Zarco's contract is directly with Ducati, while Avintia will be 'joined by two-track engineers and two Ducati Corse electronics [engineers]' in 2020.

MotoGP technical rules prevent engine spec being changed once the season is underway.

However, Dall’Igna is sure the factory - which is already increasing its MotoGP effort by running four of the latest GP20s next season, at the Official team and Pramac - can find other ways to assist Zarco, if he can justify the effort by performing well on a Desmosedici.

"It depends on his results," Dall’Igna said. "For me, the important thing is the results. If Johann shows us he can do good results, for sure I have to help him.

"I've done this all my life [for all the riders he's worked with] and I’ll do this also in the future. If I can’t do something like that I will change my job!

"We cannot change [Zarco's] engine, because it’s frozen at the beginning of the season. But I’m open to do the best for him. I’m serious. I'm not joking."

Receiving new aerodynamics might be one way the factory could assist Zarco, but Dall’Igna replied: "I think we have the possibility to do something better for him than work on the aerodynamics."

Dall’Igna agreed that a newer swingarm might be a more effective upgrade option, but the most important factor would be to target the areas where Zarco needs the most help.

And since the former Tech3, KTM and LCR Honda rider is yet to complete a lap on a Ducati, that is currently unknown.

"First of all I have to understand what he needs. After that, I can take the decision about what I can do for him," Dall’Igna said.

"We have a crew chief [Marco Rigamonti] that worked for Ducati for a long time. Now he's come back just to follow Johann.

"We are ready to support Johann from the technical point of view and also from the people point of view."

Zarco - who took six podiums and four poles at Tech3 Yamaha, before an early exit from KTM and then late-2019 return with LCR Honda - will make his Ducati debut during the official Sepang test from February 7-9.

The 29-year-old is aiming to use the Avintia season as a springboard for 2021, when almost all the MotoGP seats are available.

Zarco's current deal is for a single season, while Ducati's latest contract with Avintia is for 2020 and 2021.