Bastianini’s careღer💎 with the factory squad has not properly begun yet - five rounds into the MotoGP 2023 season he has not started a single grand prix.

He sustained an inju𝓡red shoulder blade in the first-ever sprint race at Portimao, caused by a collision with Luca Marini, and a comeback attempt at the Spanish MotoGP was aborted when he felt too much pain during practice.

Ducati Corse sp🃏orting director Ciabatti was asked by if Bastianini will retain his seat next year and replied: “Yes, there are no changes planned. 

“We appreciate what Enea did last y🐬ear with his four ꦡwins and third place in the world championship at Gresini. 

“ꦜHe also convinced us in the pre-se🍎ason tests. 

“Unfortunate🎀ly, Enea crashed in Portimao through n𓃲o fault of his own and has now missed five grands prix due to a fractured shoulder blade. 

“This is of course not an ideal situation. 

“But lucki😼ly, Jorge Martin, for example, helped us with his sprint victory in Le Mans…”

Basꩵtianini entered this season as a credible threat to the MotoGP championship held by his new teammate Francesco Bagnaಞia.

They battled furiously last season, with Bastianini still a satellite rider albeit knowing he would be promoted to the factory team, leading to curious questions this year about their personal relati💛onship.

But they haven’t had the chanc𝓡e to test that dynamic due to Bastianini’s injury.

He is expe🙈cted𒉰 to be back in Mugello, the next round.

Davide Tardozzi, Ducati’s team manager, has admitted that ꦆbecause Bastianini will be so far behind Bagnaia in t✅he title chase, he might be asked to aid his teammate in the final few races of the season.