After more than two decades in the Italian company's marketing department, Grassilli was promoted last winter to replace Paolo Ciabatti, one of the most recognisable members within Ducati.
Since then, Grassilli's activity has not ceased. His first public event took place at the beginning of the year, at the presentation of the team at the Madonna di Campiglio resort.
Then came the pre-season tests, first in Sepang and then in Qatar. In the meantime, his first major operation was the renewal of Bagnaia, a procedure that, contrary to what might have been thought, was not at all easy to close.
"Until now I was used to collecting money from sponsors to invest it in races," he tells Autosport in an exclusive interview.
"This was the first time I negotiated a contract and it was me who had the wallet, the money. I thought it would be easy, and in reality it was much more difficult than I imagined.
"Thanks to all parties we managed to reach an agreement. Everyone took Pecco's renewal for granted, but it was nowhere near as easy as people might think."
Source: Autosport