Today, let's take a look at what is perhaps the most beautiful comeback of a brand in Grand PrixThis Retro episode will focus on Ducati, from its descent into hell to its manufacturers' titles strung together like pearls. If you think the Borgo Panigale firm has always dominated, think again...
Let's go back to the early 2010s, 15 years ago (it's flying by). Ducati experienced a string of disappointments at the dawn of this decade. "Troubled years?" That's the word. Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden failed to take a single victory in two years. The Tavullia legend left at the end of 2012 to return to Yamaha, and the Reds had to contend with Andrea Dovizioso. He is a respected rider, having achieved good performances at Honda Repsol, then at Yamaha Tech3.
An era that Rossi fans would like to forget...
But let's face it, his name is less appealing. He's characterized by discretion, but he's shown he can be tough on the track: Cal Crutchlow knows that. The 2013 season was a washout. A declining Nicky Hayden could do no better than ninth overall, while The Italian discovered the machine with a disappointing eighth place in the standings.
Not a single podium finish this season. A few crashes. In short, everything is going wrong at Ducati. This is all the more impressive when you consider that just three years ago, Casey Stoner managed to win several races and worry the best.
Management must respond. This is why a sorcerer named "Gigi" Dall'Igna is mentionedThe latter is described as an excellent developer and outstanding visionary who has managed to make Aprilia work in the past, and in all categories. The Borgo Panigale company has given him the position of competition director, replacing Bernd Gobmeier.
The team is aware that this will take time. Paolo Ciabatti isn't getting excited, while Cal Crutchlow welcomes his arrival. The magic happens. Dall'Igna finds in Dovizioso a delicate, intelligent pilot who understands his visionDucati's philosophy is changing, and the problems with the chassis are slowly disappearing. The face of the brand is changing from 2015, where the bikes no longer have the same features as the previous versions.
A promising Andrea Iannone (replacing a disappointing Crutchlow) joins the ranks (fifth overall), while 'Dovi' is having an up-and-down season. The chassis is still improving, and the Desmosedici displays a mind-blowing top speed. From 2016, The Ducati engine is announced as being the best on the grid.
That same year was to see Ducati at the top. Alas, when fate is against you, it's hard to fight back. After a second place in Qatar, Dovizioso is mowed down by his teammate in the penultimate corner of the Argentine Grand Prix, then by Pedrosa at the first corner of the Circuit of the Americas while he was in third position.
Andrea Iannone, on the surface, had a lot of potential. I don't think he reached the end of what he could have done. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
The black streak continues at Jerez, where a mechanical problem forces him to retire. At Le Mans, It is an inexplicable fall similar in every way to that of Marc Márquez which puts an end to his race. From then on, too far behind in the championship to hope for anything: a season already in jeopardy after only five races. It is difficult to imagine the frustration of the Ducati officials. But Dovizioso and Dall'Igna know, deep down, that efforts eventually pay off, as evidenced by the maintenance of the established guidelines for development. Finally, and against all odds, it is the other Andrea who brings the machine to victory on the Spielberg circuit, six years after Stoner's last success. In a very open season, Dovi also wins his race at Sepang.
Nothing could stop them. Jorge Lorenzo decides to make the move towards the reds, but Dovi remains the master on board. We must take a moment to salute him. We are talking about a discreet but tough driver, who was able to transform his frustration into motivation to achieve magnificent seasons in 2017, 2018 and 2019, three vice-world championship titles. We are talking about a driver who was once unlucky but who never gave up, always giving the best of himself on the track, and showing that yes, Beating Marquez is not impossible.
The arrival of Dovizioso, and then Dall'Igna, represents a major turning point this decade. From a team to avoid to a dream team competing for the title every year, they have come a long way. In a sense, I think that "Desmodovi" and Lorenzo shaped the bike that was so often victorious in the hands of Bagnaia, Martin and co.
Have you experienced this evolution since Stoner left for Honda? Tell me in the comments!
Andrea Dovizioso came close to winning the world title in Valencia in 2017. It came down to a front-end loss he made up for in the first corner. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
