Ducati monitoring Scott Redding’s future situation

Ducati is keeping a close eye on Scott Redding’s MotoGP future, with the British rider’s 2015 plans up in the air.
Redding was expected to be riding a factory Honda RC213V for the Gresini squad next season, having signed a two-year deal with the former 125GP world champion’s Italian-based team.
But Gresini is struggling to finance a deal to lease the RC213V again next season and he has been given a deadline at the British Grand in Silverstone next weekend to confirm his plans to HRC.
HRC has already spoken to the Aspar squad about possibly taking over the lease of the RC213V, having started an association with the Japanese factory in 2014 by buying production RCV1000R machinery for Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama.
The high profile Marc VDS Racing squad is also understood to be waiting in the wings if Gresini is unable to finance an RC213V deal.
Marc VDS boss Michael Bartholemy has held long-term ambitions to move into the premier class, but earlier this season those plans were put on ice until 2016.
But the prospect of leasing a factory RC213V is sure to tempt wealthy team owner Marc van der Straten, who would love to renew his relationship with 21-year-old Briton Redding.
Redding almost won the 2013 Moto2 world championship with Marc VDS and sources close to the Gloucestershire rider say the perfect scenario for him is to be re-united with the Belgium-based squad.
With the uncertainty surrounding Redding’s future, Ducati has confirmed contact with Bartholemy, who is also Redding’s personal manager.
Ducati has not yet confirmed a replacement for Andrea Iannone in its satellite Pramac squad, and is keeping the seat free until Redding’s future is finalised.
Redding impressed Ducati when he tested a Desmosedici at Mugello in 2012 and Bologna factory boss Paolo Ciabatti told MCN: “We heard that there was some uncertain situation and while we don’t want to interfere with Fausto or with Honda, we let the management of Scott know that if they can’t find an agreement we would be interested to talk to them. We like Scott. He has proven to be a good rider this season and also for what he has done in the past. We are waiting, as we know he as an agreement with Gresini. We said in case he was looking for different opportunities then let us know.”