Gigi Dall'Igna has been the father since 2013 of the Desmosedici that Ducati lines up on the MotoGP starting grid. Formerly of Aprilia, he was able to perfectly position the Borgo Panigale brand politically, regulatoryly and technically. On this last point, he continued the strategy based on innovation dear to the brand to make the difference. However, he failed to bring him the famous drivers' title which has been missing from the prize list since Casey Stoner in 2007, before his arrival. During the presentation of the GP21, he took stock, notably giving his ideas on the Japanese brands...
Gigi Dall'Igna is an essential part in the device Ducati en MotoGP. It will perhaps be even more so in 2021, a vintage that the manufacturer wants as the start of a new era by betting on new drivers, young, ambitious and who will perhaps be more receptive, as well as less doubtful, about the choices techniques. In this sense, Dall'Igna would be happy to no longer relive the standoff experienced with Andrea Dovizioso ...
In front of the new GP21, the general director of Ducati Corsica provides the roadmap for the coming season. Not surprisingly, he says: “ we must win. The only truth is this. The bike will never turn well enough, it will never be fast enough, and it will never brake hard enough. We need to improve and raise the bar in every part of the bike ».
A research and a permanent effort which it was however difficult to realize on the GP21. And for good reason … " We can always improve, both with the style of the drivers and with the developments that we will introduce in the tests. There won't be any big changes, because the engine is from 2020, so there won't be any big changes even from the chassis point of view. However, we believe we can improve performance ».
He adds : " It is true that MotoGP is expensive and it is important for Europeans to control costs, but that does not mean preventing technological development. This is one of the reasons that leads us to be competitive, to develop technology to apply it to road use. We must find a balance between cost reduction and technological development ».
Gigi Dall'Igna: “it is not easy to understand why the Japanese are more successful”
A subtle balance that Japanese manufacturers seem to have understood forever. In this sense, the Suzuki GSX-RR appears to respond exactly to this imperative. Effective, it also has the reputation of being simple. So, is Ducati going astray in almost obsessively seeking the difference in technology? Gigi Dall'Igna answers frankly: “ it's not easy to understand why Japanese houses are more successful. They definitely have more history behind them in this category. For example, in the 500s there were only Japanese houses. I think this is one of the reasons ».
« It is true that MotoGP requires large budgets and the Japanese manufacturers were more structured and had the opportunity to invest more than the European manufacturers. I think these are the main reasons ". But the Italian does not completely give up his rivals from the land of the rising sun. He thus points out, and in particular on the famous Suzuki : " I think you need a good bike to win and Suzuki certainly is. We must try to reconcile both the fact of making a good basic motorcycle but also the addition of innovative solutions which can make the difference. ».
« Everyone can see that Suzuki also used solutions originally implemented by Ducati. They have fins like us and starting aids like us. The important thing is that the basic project is good and then we add innovative ideas that help to be competitive » ends Gigi on motograndprix.
