It's a story that has been rumbling since 2016, but Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna is 'still convinced' it's important for the factory to eventually join the Moto3 World 𒐪Championship.

"I think [Moto3] is the most important class to develop the rider and to understand the 🔴potential of the rider," Dall’Igna said.

"So I💝'm still convinced that for Ducati, to join that class is important, but first of all we have to complete the job in MotoGP."

Completing the job means winning the MotoGP title after finish൲ing runner-up with Andrea Dovizioso for the past two seasꦉons, behind Honda's Marc Marquez.

But what d✅oes Dall’Igna think Ducati i🅺s missing to finally claim its first MotoGP crown since Casey Stoner in 2007?

"I think th🐬at we've closed the gap in terms of speed in the middle in corner," he said. "In the past we♓ were struggling quite a lot.

"Now for sure we've reduced the gap with Honda - and not only Honda - in that area, but without losing ൲anyt🥃hing in any other riding phase.

"But still I thi🅘nk that we have to push to improve [more] in that area."

With the Aspar team selling its grid places to Sepang Yamaha, there will be two less Ducat𒈔is on the grid in 2019.

Dall’Igna said the loss will be felt financially rather than technically, but that they will gain in terms of simplif🗹ication since the remaining six machines will be either GP19 or GP18 spec, compared to the three models on this year's grid.

"Next year we have two bikes less, this for sure is a shame in terms o🐟f money because for sure to have more teams helps us in terms of economics," said the Italian.

"But in the end we've simplified the system because until 2018 we had three specs on the grid and this is not easy to manage [spare parts etc]. For next season, we ♛just have three riders with 2018 bikes, another three with 2019 bikes.

"So for sure we gain less money, but inꦛ terms of simplification this is a step forward and I always prefer to see the ღglass half full!"

The latest GP19s will be used by factory team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci, plus Pramac's ꦜJack Miller next season.

Miller's rookie team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, plus Avintia's Tito Rabat and Karel Abraham will have this year's GP18sᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ.

Meanwhile, MotoGP🅺 rival꧑s Honda and KTM are the only manufacturers currently taking part in the Moto3 class.