I think ducati have both advantages and disadvantages from the size of their operation. As has been said previously it probably makes them more flexible which they seemed to demonstrate in their response to the new formula last year. I think it makes them less viable as a supplier to satellite teams. Presumably they have to put some effort into their factory wsbk team as well. It would have been interesting to see what kenny roberts could have pulled off if he could have got a deal for the engines only, assuming he had been able to survive in the first place.
I am not sure how many of the factory teams gave equal support to their riders last year as the season evolved; certainly repsol honda and fiat yamaha didn't seem to. I have no doubt that stoner didn't start as ducati's number one rider last year and achieved that status due to his performance, but it would seem likely ducati are even less able than the big teams to follow different lines of development for the 2 riders in their factory team as a season progresses.
