The recent move that Marc Márquez will make from Honda to Gresini, after 11 seasons with the Japanese team, has been a hot topic in the MotoGP world. Ducati, on the other hand, welcomes this development. The chief engineer of the Italian brand, Gigi Dall’Igna, is among those celebrating the change.
In an interview with Australian Motorcycle News (AMCN), the Italian spoke about the hiring of Márquez and the current championship battle at Ducati.
Ducati boasts a list of champions and currently, three of its riders are competing for the 2023 title. Dall’Igna acknowledges the situation and anticipates the entry of another contender in the fight next year. He emphasized the importance of good management, especially with the addition of a champion like Márquez. However, he firmly stated that Enea Bastianini’s position is not up for discussion.
Curiously, Honda tried to lure Dall’Igna away from Ducati, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Dall’Igna revealed that he had discussions with the Japanese team, but he feels at home at Ducati. He expressed gratitude for his current position and mentioned his immense respect for Honda, especially after they approached him.
Dall’Igna is excited about Márquez’s arrival at Ducati and believes that the Spanish rider can bring out the best in the Italian bike. He compared the situation to Bezzecchi, who, despite riding last year’s bike, is competing for the title this season. The chief engineer is optimistic about Márquez’s potential, but also recognizes that much will depend on the rider.
The uncertainty surrounding Márquez’s future after 2023, considering his one-year contract with Gresini, has raised some doubts. This makes him a free agent, opening doors not only for Ducati’s factory team, but also for Aprilia and KTM. As a result, Ducati is cautious about sharing technical secrets, fearing he may go elsewhere in 2025.
Dall’Igna also addressed Johann Zarco’s move from Ducati to Honda next year, emphasizing that knowledge transfer is inevitable in such situations. He appreciates the ongoing championship battle between Pecco and Martín and expects a sporting duel until the end. He also expressed confidence in Bagnaia’s ability to handle pressure and praised Martín and Bezzecchi for their performances this season.
With all these developments, the MotoGP landscape is set for some exciting races and backstage dramas in the coming seasons.
