To say that Gigi Dall'Igna and her policy of thinking outside the box when it comes to MotoGP development annoys her peers is an understatement. Arriving from an Aprilia factory which is a rival of choice this season, the Italian first aroused mockery from Honda by grafting the first fins onto the Desmosedici. As this began to become relevant to the clock, concern among opponents set in, before escalating with court proceedings over a rear deflector in 2019. Ducati won and then accelerated development with the The starting aid then transformed into a leveling corrector which is also activated this year on the front. An FRHD which provoked the ire of the same adversaries who, as an organized group, managed to exert political pressure so that it does not survive to 2022. Even though it is regulatory. A situation that inspires this reflection in Gigi Dall’Igna…
Some in MotoGP would like to portray Gigi Dall'Igna like the evil genius of the category. It must be said that, under his leadership, MotoGP has changed dramatically. As this metamorphosis took place within a perfectly regulatory framework, we should recognize this research and innovation work as progress. Against the clock, it is, but for the competition which has not thought about it and which, forced to follow, does not succeed with the same success, it is the sign of its regression.
The trial of intent is underway and everything is going on, from distorted races where we can no longer overtake to security risks with so many buttons to press, including the budgets to be found for this arms race in times of crisis. On these three points, Ducati responded by its riders and Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna. Of Pecco Bagnaia à George Martin, we were thus reminded that no competition is currently boring, overtaking is entirely possible, as long as we work hard and simply perform well. Other drivers from brands embittered by the current technical situation have also amply demonstrated this by constant improvements. So Brad Binder on KTM.
« At Ducati, it's our job to make racing motorcycles better and more competitive every year«
On security, we recognize Aprilia that aerodynamics is progress from this point of view. Jorge Martin, he pointed out that the attitude corrector, by avoiding wheelies, was a plus for his bodily integrity. As for the now 11 buttons on the handlebars, Gigi Dall'Igna assures: “ It's not a question of the number of buttons. For pilots, an additional button does not change the pilot's stress ».
There remains the question of the war effort. There, with complete objectivity, Gigi Dall'Igna recognizes that he agrees on an inflation of budgets. But it's also the game, my poor Lucette, because MotoGP runs prototypes... The Italian comments thus on speedweek : " It's our job to make racing motorcycles better and more competitive every year. We have the development department for this. If we no longer have the right to develop everything that is authorized by the regulations, we can immediately stay at home ».
This sentence would almost sound like a warning. It will be recalled that Suzuki will retire at the end of the year, may the silence Honda on the constitution of his team stamped with a logo Repsol who asks questions and makes people think Ducati has eight motorcycles on the starting grid... But we should rather take the remark as a hint of annoyance about the successful coup d'état on the FRHD: " I would have accepted some restrictions if we could have avoided the ban on 'Front Ride Height Devices'. But finally, no one within the MSMA wanted to follow our suggestions. I would have liked to continue using it » concludes Gigi Dall'Igna.
