Miguel Oliveira spent day one of MotoGP’s German Grand Prix weekend in a bizarre whirlwind of rumour and speculation – seemingly about to announce a new deal with Gresini Ducati for 2023, only to then pull the news at the eleventh hour…
…but yet he still continued with a live interview with series promoter Dorna that became somewhat absurd as he had nothing to discuss.
Speculation had first started early in the week that there would be an announcement at the race about Oliveira’s future, after it was confirmed last week that he would be replaced in the works KTM squad for next season by current Ducati rider Jack Miller.
That talk was further fuelled by the addition to the Sachsenring weekend schedule of a live Oliveira interview with Dorna on Thursday afternoon – and encouraged even more when the Gresini Ducati team started to tease its own major news due to be released at the same time.
In the end, however, no news was forthcoming about Oliveira’s 2023 plans, resulting in a unique live interview with Dorna (the first of its kind I can ever remember happening) that skirted around the elephant in the room of who Oliveira would ride for next year and instead covered issues like how many languages he speaks, his half-completed dentistry degree and how it’s now his face staring back at you above the urinals in Portuguese motorway service stations (no, really).
In fact, the only nugget of information that did come from the interview with veteran broadcaster Matt Birt was that Oliveira is definitely not planning on remaining with KTM for next year, despite being offered a chance to step back down to satellite team Tech3, where he won two races in 2020.
“It’s still something to be completely decided,” he said of his future. “I’ve not signed with any manufacturer yet but I believe that of course my future will be on the MotoGP grid.
“I’m in a situation where many more riders have not signed and it’s kind of difficult to somehow have your future in the hands of someone else.
“But it’s like this and I’m very grateful to have even with KTM for many years. I wish Jack all the best with them and it’ll always have a special place in my heart.
“Of course there was also this possibility [to go to Tech3]. I’ve been with KTM and showing all the time that I’m worthy to have a spot somewhere within the structure.
“I also need to make it clear that KTM made every effort to keep me within Tech3 but it’s something that I didn’t want.
“The factory spot is one that I felt I could make the biggest contribution in and that I felt I’ve earned with my results.”
It’s no secret that Oliveira is in talks with the Gresini Ducati team as it moves to replace Enea Bastianini, bound either for factory colours or for the Pramac squad to replace Jorge Martin if he in turn takes Miller’s place, a deal that isn’t set to be finalised for some time yet.
The negotiation process there hasn’t exactly been a top secret affair, with Oliveira and his father and manager Paulo pictured by The Race entering the Gresini garage with Ducati boss Paolo Ciabatti at the last race at Barcelona.
Well well well, the things you see in the paddock. Miguel Oliveira, his father/manager Paulo, and Paolo Ciabatti walking into the Gresini Racing garage…. 📝 pic.twitter.com/afbJQl6W4O
— Simon Patterson (@denkmit) June 4, 2022
However, it’s also been confirmed to The Race by a senior source inside the Aprilia garage that negotiations are also still ongoing there about Oliveira joining its new satellite team – current Yamaha customer RNF – for 2023.
That really means it’s very unlikely to see Thursday’s live interview as anything other than a face-saving exercice, an attempt to maintain the TV schedule and fill a prearranged slot in the timetable, even though the very deal that it was set to announce hasn’t yet been signed as Paulo Oliveira continues to shuttle between Ducati and Aprilia trucks at the Sachsenring to hash out a deal for his son’s future.
Oh, and Gresini’s major news? A new biography will be released later this year telling the story of late team founder Fausto Gresini’s life and career.
