English
Italiano
Gigi Dall’Igna is experiencing some intense days. On the back of Jerez, the Ducati engineer headed to Mugello for testing at the Tuscan track. Then it was on to Imola where Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri are busy with the Italian SBK round. Saturday's guests in the Aruba garage included Andrea Dovizioso, taking things in as a spectator for a change.
The Italian rider is also under pressure, his future more uncertain than ever. Dall’Igna doesn't avoid the subject, in fact he analyses the situation coolly and calmly.
“I think we need to resolve this problem as soon as possible. We are negotiating with Andrea, but it's not an easy negotiation”.
A delicate situation.
“I think Dovi will tell us yes or no by Mugello”.
Having covered Dovizioso, he moves on to Lorenzo. There are rumours that Iannone might return to the red bike.
“Right now we have a priority, and that is to renew the contract with Dovi. As for Lorenzo, I'm not happy. The same goes for Jorge and all the ducatisti”.
Dall’Igna's attention turns to the recent Mugello test, where the Majorcan appears to have used a new frame.
“It's not exactly a new frame, it's the one Dovi used during winter testing and at the start of the season. We had chance to test it in Qatar with Andrea and the difference isn't so great. With Lorenzo, we preferred to wait for the right moment, after the Jerez race we thought he was in a position to carry out this kind of work and so we adopted this approach”.
The Majorcan is clearly struggling to find the way with the GP18 after his years in Yamaha.
“Lorenzo has often been in a position to fight with the best, in Malaysia and Jerez for example. We're not happy with the results this season, but I've often pleased with how fast he can be on the bike. Going from Honda to Ducati and vice versa is easier than moving from a Yamaha. I say this because the bikes are completely different in their characteristics, and this goes for riding style and much more”.
Marc's performance at Mugello didn't come as a surprise to the Ducati engineer.
“We know Marc and Honda - he smiles - I'm sure he'll be competitive at every track”.
And what about the upcoming Le Mans round.
“I don't want to count my chickens, I'm superstitious”.
