Ducati Race Director Gigi Dall’Igna expects the Japanese brands to catch up with the concessions – he sees little room for maneuver for Ducati
At the start of the 2024 MotoGP season, Yamaha and Honda were still lagging behind, but that could change over time. With the new concession rules, both brands have significant leeway for further development, while the European brands have fewer options. Ducati in particular has had to put up with the most restrictions
“I expect them to develop much more than us during the season,” said Ducati’s General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna on Italian Sky. “That’s why it’s so important that we start off on the right foot.”
In the fall of last season, Ducati also agreed to the new concession rules, but grudgingly. On the one hand, Dall’Igna recognizes that the two Japanese brands will have the chance to catch up technically in a shorter time.
“It’s certainly important for the championship,” says the Italian, speaking in favor of a balanced field, but on the other hand it is “a bit unfair” from a technical point of view: “I think this is the only championship in motorsport where that happens.”
“In Formula 1, Mercedes dominated and now it’s Red Bull. Nobody dreams of introducing a system like this there. It’s good for the show, but it’s unfair from a sporting point of view,” Dall’Igna has a clear opinion.
However, he is not quite right with regard to Formula 1. There is a handicap system in the area of aerodynamics and CFD. The more successful a team is, the less it is allowed to develop. This is intended to help inferior Formula 1 teams to close the gap.
Due to the new framework conditions in MotoGP, it was important for Dall’Igna to lay the foundation for the next two years with the Desmosedici GP24. “Compared to 2023, 2024 is a pretty big step,” emphasized the Italian.
“I don’t think there will be any major revolutions between now and 2026. After that comes the new regulations. We have laid an important foundation. The others are trying harder than in the past and the rules allow them to do so.”
“We have to be on our guard and try to find improvements. I think there will be more evolution than revolution on our side at Ducati until 2027.” So he is not expecting any radical new developments.
As the manufacturers are divided into groups based on the world championship points distribution, there may also be changes to the concessions. Should Honda and Yamaha become competitive, the grouping would also shift and with it the opportunities for development. There are two settlements per season. Once after the summer break and once after the season finale.
