Winless MotoGP rider Ducati love reminds Jorge Lorenzo ‘a lot’ of Andrea Iannone

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Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Iannone often had a tense relationship as riders during their respective careers on the MotoGP grid, but they could still respect each other’s talent.

The Spaniard and Italian were never friends while competing in the premier class during the latter’s spell in the paddock from 2013 to 2019. Lorenzo had already been a leading rider on the grid since 2008, and was the reigning champion when Iannone stepped up from Moto2.

Lorenzo even once claimed that Iannone “doesn’t understand the risks” after taking him out of fifth place on Lap 17 of 25 of the 2016 Catalan Grand Prix with an “unbelievable” mistake. The 2016 MotoGP season also saw Iannone earn his sole race win at that year’s Austrian GP.

Fermin Aldeguer reminds Jorge Lorenzo ‘a lot’ of Andrea Iannone

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix last week has put Iannone back in Lorenzo’s mind, as Gresini rookie Fermin Aldeguer reminded the three-time MotoGP champion of his old rival. Lorenzo feels his compatriot has a riding style that is “aesthetically” similar to the Italian’s approach.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fermin Aldeguer with his rise to MotoGP and height

Aldeguer scored his best result yet with P2 in the Austrian GP, and the 20-year-old was even chasing works Ducati rider Marc Marquez for the lead in the final laps. He hit the chequered flag only 1.118s behind the runaway championship leader thanks to his great late-race pace.

Lorenzo said on Duralavita: “To me, aesthetically, he reminds me a lot of Iannone. When he entered the corner, he entered a little stiffer, without leaning as much, very big.”

Ducati will hope Fermin Aldeguer enjoys a better MotoGP career than Andrea Iannone

Second place in the Austrian GP marked Aldeguer’s second Grand Prix podium since moving up from Moto2 on a factory Ducati contract with their satellite team Gresini this season. He first made a premier class rostrum with Aldeguer’s P3 in the French Grand Prix back in May.

Aldeguer did not stand on a podium between his rostrums at Le Mans and the Red Bull Ring. But the Murcian’s consistent improvement through the first 13 rounds of this year’s 22 have made an impression, and could soon yield a big reward with a factory Ducati bike next term.

Dorna backs Ducati giving Aldeguer a factory Desmosedici in 2026, as the commercial rights holder wants to champion young talents like the 20-year-old. Ducati think Aldeguer can be a future face of their team, as well, after he also scored third place in the Le Mans Sprint Race.

Also, Luigi Dall’Igna is adamant that Aldeguer is the “future of Ducati” following his P2 finish in the Austrian GP, which reminded Lorenzo of Iannone. Dall’Igna will hope Aldeguer can go on to produce a better career with the Borgo Panigale outfit than Iannone achieved, though.

Iannone debuted in MotoGP on a Ducati at Pramac in 2013, before joining the factory team in 2015. The 36-year-old later raced for Suzuki in 2017 and 2018, plus Aprilia in 2019. Yet he only scored one win, 11 podiums and two pole positions through his 119 Grand Prix entries.