Gigi Dall'Igna is the director of a Ducati Corse squad which can revel in starting the season with two Grands Prix organized on the Losail track. A friendly circuit where the Desmosedici have always shone, and particularly since 2015. That being said, the Italian remains cautious and all the more so since the rival Yamaha, with the qualities which are the faults of its Italian machines, is in ambush. He therefore refuses to make any prediction, except one and it concerns his former driver Andrea Dovizioso, who is increasingly complicit with Aprilia...
Gigi Dall'Igna studied the timesheet for Friday marking the first day of a Qatar Grand Prix which opens the 2021 MotoGP season. And this is what he says about it in the columns of the Gazzetta Dello Sport :: « to think that we have already won would be huge nonsense » warns the Italian. “ So far we've only done a few tests, which went well, and a good first day, but between testing and the race the difference is still huge. Better to keep your feet on the ground. I'm too superstitious to think about the podium yet, even though an engineer shouldn't be. I therefore avoid any declaration ».
In any case, Dall'Igna knows that he has the bike to beat on the Doha circuit, even if having carried out the tests on this circuit is not the most revealing thing: “ we are aware that we have done a good job. And we hope that these days, at home, the decisions we have made have been the best. At Losail since 2015 we have always done well, so the testing and development here is not the best. We would have preferred to go where we have always been in difficulty. But rider feedback says we've made improvements. This will be evaluated on other tracks ».
Jack Miller et Pecco Bagnaia are also in excellent shape: “ Last year, Jack reached a major milestone and it was essential to go from there. It seems to me that he has done it, now I am waiting for him in the race. I saw Pecco very well, aware of his possibilities. When he wanted to try to save time, he did it with apparent ease. So far he's done the right things, but the most difficult part remains, repeating yourself in the race ».
Gigi Dall'Igna questions Yamaha policy towards Morbidelli
On his rival Yamaha he comments: “ I think they have taken a step forward, providing interesting solutions. I had less positive feelings from others, but in testing it depends a lot on the work done, which is mainly about material selection and new ideas ". However, Gigi does not understand the position of Morbidely within the tuning fork brand: “ I have a hard time putting myself in their place. I have always helped the pilots who deserved it, I have always thought like that all my life and I think I will continue to do so ».
On the rest of the championship, Dall'Igna already has his idea: “ Marc Marquez remains Marc Marquez, it's up to the other riders to find a way to beat him. The most dangerous rival? I would put three: one is Marquez, the other is Mir, because he is the reigning champion and then Morbidelli. I have seen him mature and I am aware of his means ". And Dovizioso ? He will see him again at Mugello in mid-May but on the handlebars of a Aprilia that he will have tried in mid-April in Jerez… “ A single test is always dangerous, even under the conditions you encounter. But Andrea is certainly a rider who can help Aprilia ».
