The man from Ducati Corse that is Gigi Dall'Igna has many reasons for satisfaction to point out when taking stock at the halfway point of this MotoGP season. But he also has only one reason not to be satisfied and it is Fabio Quartararo on the Yamaha. Who leads the championship. During this time, the GP21 pleases all its drivers, which is an achievement but also, paradoxically, its handicap. Because the points are divided into three. Still, post-Dovizioso turns out to be a good period. And it is also a lesson learned by the éminence grise of the Red Army…
Gigi Dall'Igna has never experienced such a situation in MotoGP since he took office. After nine races, three drivers Ducati find themselves in the top 4 of the World Championship: Johann zarco, Pecco Bagnaia et Jack Miller. The latter gave the Borgo Panigale factory its two current victories of the season at Jerez and Le Mans. The Italian manufacturer collected a total of eleven places on the podium in this first half. The rookie George Martin also reached the podium in his second race in the premier category.
An overall result which is an upheaval in a history of the manufacturer in Grand Prix initially marked by the domination of an essential leader. In this sense, Dall'Igna can be proud of his overall work begun almost ten years ago: “ a good motorcycle should give the rider the opportunity to use the motorcycle as he sees fit. Ours can do it now » rejoices Gigi who cites as an example a bagnaia special needs: it's clear that Bagnaia uses something differentt compared to the rest of our drivers. It is very special because it uses 100% of the front tire with a different riding style ».
There was also a change in approach: “ after many years with the same riders at Ducati, this year we have completely changed our model. We started working with these young pilots, and it's important because young people usually give lessons to older men like me. It's a different spirit, they push me to be better ».
A new lease of life that was felt from the off-season: “ I am very happy with the work of my technicians during the winter ", said Gigi Dall'Igna on motogp.com. " Because we also managed to improve the engine, even though engine development was frozen. However, we were able to find some areas of improvement that the ruleset allowed for. We also did a very good job on the chassis, and the result in Jerez was proof of that. In the corners, however, it doesn't work the way we want it to. So we need to improve more and more, and not only on the chassis, but also on the engine, if possible ».
One of the many innovations that Dall'Igna and his team have presented in recent years is the leveling device with which the rear of the machine can be lowered while driving. “ This is definitely an advantage, otherwise our pilots would not use it ", said Dall'Igna about the system. “ There are tracks where it is very important and others where it is not so important. The only problem is that the rules are very strict. We are only allowed to use mechanical system, nothing electronic. So at first it wasn't easy to find a way ».
Gigi Dall'Igna: “in October we will start putting something on track”
And yet… “ The start is sometimes the key to the race. When you start in the lead, it is much easier to develop a good strategy for the race. We worked very hard to find a way to get off to a good start. We started with a simple idea two years ago and let's bring something new every six months to improve our systems », revealed the race director Ducati who also insists on a second technical aspect that he favored: top speed: “ As with starting devices, I firmly believe that speed is a very important factor in race strategy. It is certainly much easier to overtake drivers on the straights than in the corners », added the Italian engineer.
The ailerons, the “holeshot device” an engine allowing record top speeds… Has Ducati addressed the issue? Gigi Dall'Igna assures us not: “ It's time to think about the future, we have to think about 2022. We are currently working on this in our racing department in Borgo Panigale. Then in October we'll start putting something on track. " He finishes : " of course, I can't say what we will see in 2022. But it is certainly important to continue to develop, to think differently, to create something new. I think it's the best we can do in our life ».
