Even before officially welcoming him to Ducati in 2027, Luigi Dall'Igna is already outlining the profile of the rider who will embody the future of Borgo Panigale. And, contrary to expectations, it's neither his speed nor his raw talent that most impresses the Ducati managing director. For the Italian engineer, Pedro Acosta's greatest strength lies elsewhere: in the respect he shows his rivals.
The future teammate of Marc Marquez will join the official team Ducati in 2027 with the label of potential world champion. At only 22 At 18, the Spaniard was considered one of the greatest talents of his generation, to the point that Ducati did not hesitate to entrust him with the handlebars left vacant by Francis Bagnaia.
However, when the daily SPORTS asked Luigi Dall'Igna The answer to what his main quality was was surprising. I think he respects his rivals. In my opinion, more than most other drivers.. » A statement that is far from insignificant in a championship where tensions, media statements and rivalries often occupy as much space as on-track performances.
For many months, Peter Acosta reiterates that he harbors no personal rivalry with Marc Marquez, despite their regular clashes on the track and their future duel within the same garage.
This attitude contrasts sharply with the recent history of MotoGP, marked by sometimes explosive rivalries between Valentino Rossi et Marc Marquez, or even between Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and their main adversaries.
By publicly highlighting this quality, Dall'Igna also sends a message: Ducati wants to maintain a calm working environment despite the arrival of a duo that promises to be explosive.
The real challenge of 2027 may not be Acosta
The Italian engineer also asserts that the arrival ofAcosta will not change the way the official team operates. With Pecco and Marc, we've already had two champions on our team. Our philosophy is clear. It's what has allowed us to get where we are, and we don't want to radically change it. »
A way of reminding everyone that, despite Bagnaia's departure, Ducati intends to continue managing its drivers according to the same principles, without any overt favoritism.
While all eyes are already on the upcoming duel between Marc Marquez et Peter Acosta, Dall'Igna estimates that the main construction site Ducati will be elsewhere. The arrival of the new technical regulations and especially the replacement of Michelin by Pirelli According to him, these will constitute the real challenge.
« The biggest change will concern the tires.With the change of manufacturer, the philosophy changes completely. Both suppliers make excellent tires, but everyone wants a different motorcycleThis will probably be the core of our work. »
In other words, even before managing two of the most talented drivers on the grid, Ducati will first have to succeed in building the best motorcycle of the new MotoGP era. And if Dall'Igna insists today as much on the respect embodied by Peter AcostaPerhaps it's also because he knows that a successful cohabitation between two champions often begins well before the first Grand Prix.
