Luca Marini being 'watched' by Ducati?

Slow progress in its negotiations with star rider Andrea Dovizioso has seen Ducati recently admit that Francesco Bagnaia might move to the official team next year, should no agreement be reached with the #4.

If that were to materialise, it would, in turn, leave a space free at Pramac.

The satellite team currently runs Jack Miller alongside Bagnaia, with the Australian already confirmed as joining the Official Ducati team in 2021.

Ducati is yet to confirm any other riders for next year, but Moto2's Jorge Martin is believed to have reached an agreement for one of the Pramac seats.

It therefore looks like Pramac will have a Bagnaia-Martin line-up in 2021.

But the ongoing doubts over Dovizioso's future mean Valentino Rossi's brother Luca Marini has recently been linked to Pramac, should fellow VR46 Academy rider Bagnaia be called up to take over Dovizioso's ride.

"The only thing confirmed is Jack will go to the Factory team and Pecco will be confirmed by Ducati and it's not yet decided if he will ride for us or the Factory team," Pramac team manager Francesco Guidotti told the official MotoGP website.

"The priority for Ducati will be Dovi's confirmation. In case it will not happen they will consider Pecco as first choice. If Pecco goes to the factory team, we will consider from that moment [someone to replace him] and look at Moto2."

Marini, currently third in the Moto2 standings with one victory and two podiums from the three rounds this season, insisted he does not yet have any MotoGP offers, but added:

"It's an honour, a dream being watched by MotoGP guys and teams. I worked a lot to be at 100% this year, to be as fast and strong as I can because I feel very good and want to achieve great results here in Moto2.

"It would be great, fantastic [to be in MotoGP alongside Rossi and VR46 Academy riders Morbidelli and Bagnaia]. I train with them now. I can see everything. I try to ask them advice because MotoGP is the best in our sport and I want to understand as many things as possible even if I am in Moto2."