Cal Crutchlow has confirmed he is in discussions with Ducati about joining their factory MotoGP team next season.

Towards the end of last season doubts were cast over Crutchlow's future with Tech 3 when they announced that Andrea Dovisiozo would be joining the team as well as Bradley Smith would be moving into the top stream in 2013.

Crutchlow has taken up the challenge and proved his detractors wrong by having an outstanding season with his Yamaha Monster Tech 3 team and now feels he deserves a factory ride for 2013.

The Brit spoke to the BBC saying, "We're in deep discussions with [another manufacturer] because at the moment there's nothing for me at Yamaha. I can stay at Tech 3 but not on a factory machine. You won't win a title if you're not on a factory machine."

The best bikes in MotoGP are the six in the factory teams of Yamaha, Ducati and Repsol Honda. They benefit from updates and higher spec machinery much sooner than the satellite teams who lease their bikes from the manufacturers.

Crutchlow, who has been a regular finisher in the top five this season, has made no secret of the fact his first choice is a step up to the factory Yamaha team to partner Jorge Lorenzo next season, but that would appear increasingly unlikely.

This weekend Ben Spies confirmed that he is in talks to extend his contract, it seems that Crutchlow's choice is either sticking it out with the satellite Tech 3 outfit or gambling on Ducati.

The move to the Italian factory would be lucrative but even nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has failed to make the bike competitive, but the new owners Audi are said to be willing to put a lot of resource behind improving Ducati's product. It should also be noted Crutchlow has consistently been quicker than the Ducati's all season and he is the same type of rider as Casey Stoner who was the last rider to be competitive on a 'Duke' .

Valentino Rossi has met with members of the Audi group, at Sachsenring during the German GP weekend and is confident of an improvement in Ducati team's fortunes.

He was reported as saying  "I spoke directly with the boss of Audi and they have a strong intent about supporting Ducati in the future to regain its competitive edge. It's a very ambitious project and I'm happy about it, adding "And they're counting on me."

As 2013 shapes up it has already been confirmed Jorge Lorenzo will remain another two years at Yamaha, while Stefan Bradl has already signed for 2013 as part of his two-year deal with LCR Honda.

Dani Pedrosa is in talks with Repsol Honda about renewing his contract with Repsol Honda, with an announcement likely next week in Mugello.

It looks like Dani Pedrosa is set to be joined by Moto2 front runner Marc Marquez, who will have the huge shoes of the retiring Casey Stoner to fill following the abandonment of the Rookie Rule last week.

Where this leaves Nicky Hayden we will have to wait and see as it seem Rossi will stay beyond 2012

Another Brit joining Crutchlow on Ducati machinery next year will be Scott Redding's Marc VDS team in Moto2, they are talking to the  factory about leasing a bike for a new satellite team in MotoGP next year.