Ducati team boss Filippo Preziosi is adamant that the squad can resolve the issues that have kept it off the pace so far in winter testing.
Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden were both outside the top 10 on the final day of this week's Sepang test, with the Italian expressing concern about how much he was struggling with chassis setup on the GP11. But Preziosi feels Ducati's final Sepang results were unrepresentative, pointing out that the test was disrupted by Rossi having to miss one of the three days through illness.
"In Malaysia, we have not finished in a position in line with our original target but this was also due to some back luck," said Preziosi. "After a promising start to the test, Valentino became ill and lost a full day on the track, forcing him to cram all of the remaining work into the last day."
He said that huge efforts were already under way to get Ducati on terms with current winter pacesetter Honda.
"Valentino, Nicky and all the guys at the track were working flat-out, and we are doing the same back in the factory," Preziosi said. "We are confident that by going forward with this same level of commitment, and staying focused on our objectives we will realize the potential that we know we have."
Ducati also carried out a three-day test at Jerez this week with development rider Franco Battaini.
"Based on the feedback from Valentino and Nicky, we carried the work forward on a parallel course which will allow us to provide concrete solutions for the next test in Qatar," said Preziosi of Battaini's program in Spain. "We have also continued to work on the chassis setup, gathering data which we will return to the factory with on Monday for comparison with that of Sepang."