In recent years, the Japanese manufacturers in MotoGP have experienced a sharp decline in performance. Honda and Yamaha are currently the weakest in the field, unable to fight for podiums as they used to not long ago, when they were regularly competing for titles and were considered a step ahead of the European factories.
According to Gigi Dall’Igna, the General Manager of Ducati Corse, both manufacturers may have underestimated their rivals, emphasizing the constant need to work towards having the best package regardless of the rider. The engineer stated on the YouTube channel PecinoGP:
– Let’s say they probably underestimated their opponents, and this is always a problem. If someone wants to beat an opponent, they should never underestimate them. Surely, having a very strong rider leads you to not giving the value your opponents deserve, because you think you have someone who can solve your problems. However, even with a champion, you have to keep working because you always have to provide your rider with the best possible bike – regardless of the demands he makes. Listening to all riders to elevate the bike’s level as much as possible.
Asked whether the Japanese manufacturers were aware of reality or lived in a kind of bubble, Dall’Igna didn’t hesitate in his response: ‘The second thing. After all, they won and dominated for several years, so I say it’s hard to think you have limits when you dominate so much’.