Danilo Petrucci has already put pen to paper for a factory Ducati ride in 2019 but the Italian is still in the hunt for his first ever MotoGP win.

The 27-year-old has had six podiums in MotoGP but he has yet to stand on the top step and this year, so far, it hasn’t been as successful for Petrucci despite being on the 2018 full factory Ducati bike.

Fourth place has been the highest place Petrucci has been able to get this year with a fourth place at the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez and last time round at the German Grand Prix held at the Sachsenring.

But will he bag his first win before his big factory move?

His last podium came last year in the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix behind Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez on the satellite Pramac Ducati.

There is no doubt that Petrucci has the talent, he wouldn’t have got a factory ride if he didn’t.

Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding CEO, commented on Petrucci’s move to Ducati and said: “I wish to give a warm welcome to Danilo, whom we look forward to seeing in Ducati Team colours next year, together with Andrea, and who we feel sure will continue his rapid rise to success.”

Petrucci commented on his 2019 deal and said: “I really can’t wait to start this new adventure in the factory team.

“Now all I want to do is to finish the year in the top five in the standings and then start the new season with the Ducati Team.”

Petrucci is currently sitting seventh in the MotoGP World Championship standings with 84 points on the board.

It is only a matter of time before we see Danilo Petrucci on the top step of the podium whether it be this year or in 2019 in the factory Ducati team.