Dovizioso’s manager Simone Battistella confirmed on Saturday that the 34-year-old would not be with Ducati in 2021, bringing to an end his eight-year association with the team.

“I want to race. In this moment I don’t have any Plan B,” Dovizioso said.

“The decision is related to the situation there is in Ducati. It was better to take a decision now and be focused for racing.”

Dovizioso has won 13 races since joining Ducati in 2013, finishing runner-up in the championship in the last three seasons, but talks over a new contract had stalled this year.

“The reality is in this moment there doesn’t really exist a place for next season,” he said. “Now we are focused on racing. It’s important to be relaxed within the team and be focused for the championship.”

Dovizioso, who is joint-third in the world championship standings, 28 points behind leader Fabio Quartararo, will begin Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix from fourth spot.