MotoGP, the revolt against Ducati Gigi Dall'Igna: Aprilia, KTM, Suzuki and Honda defy the FIM and distrust it »

As time passes since claim of four manufacturers in Qatar against Ducati, the tone rises and the atmosphere deteriorates in the paddock. The response from officials regarding the legality of this deflector attached to the swingarm of the Desmosedici GP19 is therefore languishing. But the affair is also political, so much so that it will leave its mark. In an interview with the official motogp.com website, Gigi Dall'Igna, the druid of Borgo Panigale is officially going strong. Will the building patiently constructed by Dorna be shaken to its foundations?

Listening to the Ducati man, the form of this affair was perhaps more shocking than the substance: “ This is the first time that some teams have decided to lodge a protest against another team based on a technical doubt. Times change and in this specific case, not necessarily for the better. The Technical Director is normally the only one who can decide whether something fitted to the motorcycle is compliant or not. At this rate it risks becoming a real Wild West, imagine if there is a recourse to each race! »

The reference to the period leaves one wondering and suggests the vile settling of scores. But Gigi Dall'Igna also speaks frankly of a coup of force… “ They first questioned the technical director, then the FIM MotoGP Stewards College. This clearly shows a certain distrust towards the Federation. Until Qatar, the reports were always correct. As I said, every time there was a concern, we discussed it within the MSMA and we were entirely willing to do so, if the issue had been addressed and that is in fact still valid for us. Obviously in Qatar, four manufacturers have decided to change their approach. They decided to change the rules, thus defying the Federation ».

Cause and effect link, we will remember that at Losail, the new President of the FIM, Jorge Viegas, organized, on the sidelines of the VisitQatar Grand Prix, a presentation of its troops and the role of each. Have the plaintiffs decided to put this new team to the test by fire? In any case, his first decision will be important! “ We are convinced that our work fully complies with the technical regulations. We therefore have no doubt that this appeal will be rejected ».

Otherwise, it would be the opening of Pandora's box... Gigi Dall'Igna has already warned that he would ask that we look into the case of the Honda fins. And then there is always the danger of externalizing the conflict… “ Within the FIM, the Court of Appeal is the last possible recourse. If you resort to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, you are leaving the perimeter of the FIM and I don't even want to think about that. We are so convinced that we are in the right that we do not see how the Court of Appeal would agree with them. If it happens, we will think about it, but at the appropriate time ».

This conflict between powerful people behind the scenes taints a sport, which has nevertheless demonstrated all its interest on the track, with its heroes, the drivers. An unfortunate situation that the Italian is the first to regret: “ Since I have been working in this world and even well before, it has always been in constant technical evolution. This is what has made our sport beautiful for years, combined with talent and driving. Marc and Andrea demonstrated this on Sunday in Qatar by giving us a magnificent fight. We too would like to only have to talk about that! »