MotoGP Misano is thundering over the horizon and it as close to certain as death and taxes that Pecco Bagnaia will be officially anointed as Jack Miller's factory Ducati team-mate.

But there is a small chance that it might not happen. Ducati's management have been circumspect in their approach to filling the seats for 2021 and even though Bagnaia is meant to be the chosen one, there has been nothing in the way of fanfare.

With not much to show in the way of results, he might end up staying where he is and the massive bluff that some paddock insiders think Andrea Dovizioso is playing will pay off.

It's well documented that Dovizioso feels under-appreciated by Mssrs Ciabatti and Dall'Igna, and at the first Austrian GP told them to jam their job while informing the public he has no plan B. A day later, the Forlimpopoli rider was in tears with laughter as he took up his number one spot in the post-race press conference.

Also in the room and also giggling loudly was his manager Simone Battistella. Something was and still is going on.

The chances of Ducati having to cave and take him back are small. They have a roster of young talent and Jorge Martin will go into the Pramac team while Johann Zarco will likely remain where he is but get a machinery and personnel upgrade.

Tito Rabat already has a contract and no doubt his personal sponsor will reverse a Scania up to the doors of Raul Romero's loading bay and tip in the necessary Euros to keep that all floating.

There is one more thing to consider and that is Scott Redding. The current WorldSBK points runner-up has a claim on a Ducati MotoGP ride to stake - even though they never gave one to Chaz Davies - and believes he can claw his way back into the blue riband class via Oulton Park.

Redding will have to rock up with the title at the end of the year. Can Ducati keep a Pramac chair to one side for the reigning BSB champion?