FIRST LOOK: 2019 'Mission Winnow' Ducati

Ducati became the first MotoGP team to officially launch its 2019 campaign when Andrea Dovizioso and new signing Danilo Petrucci unveiled the Desmosedici GP19 livery during a ceremony at the Philip Morris R&D Cube in Neuchâtel, Switzerland this evening.

The biggest talking point is the inclusion of 'Mission Winnow', both on the redder-than-ever bike and official team name, 'Mission Winnow Ducati'.

'Mission Winnow' is a slogan used by Philip Morris to "discard old approaches", learn "from past mistakes and use them to shape our future". It first appeared on the Ferrari F1 cars at last season's Japanese Grand Prix.

Philip Morris has remained Ducati's main MotoGP sponsor ever since the Italian factory entered the sport in 2003, despite no longer being allowed to run any Marlboro cigarette branding.

The company is now pushing for a smoke-free future through its IQOS tobacco heating system, but Philip Morris emphasised that 'Mission Winnow' does not advertise or promote any PMI-branded products: "This is about passion."

As such, Philip Morris is able to use 'Mission Winnow' in MotoGP and once again have a visible presence at the Ducati Team.

Studio shot of the 2019 Ducati livery for Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci.

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Dovizioso has finished title runner-up to Honda's Marc Marquez for the past two seasons, winning six races in 2017 and four in 2018, when the addition of three wins for Jorge Lorenzo made it Ducati's most successful season since Casey Stoner's 2007 championship year.

Petrucci now takes over from Lorenzo, the Italian getting his dream factory chance after being promoted from the Pramac team, where he has taken six podiums during the past four seasons.

Dovizioso and Petrucci will be on track with their new colours when 2019 testing begins at Sepang, on February 6.

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