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You must go back to Brad Binder's victory in the Jerez Sprint Race to find a non-Ducati rider on the top step of the MotoGP podium. The Borgo Panigale manufacturer has in fact monopolized the top positions in the last four championship rounds, with a supremacy that becomes even clearer when we are talking about the Japanese manufacturers, which are light years away from Ducati in the Constructors' standings.
While the Emilian brand went on vacation as leaders, with a haul of 285 points, Honda and Yamaha left Assen propping up the last two places respectively in the standings, 196 and 203 points behind the leaders. Precisely for this reason, Dorna appears to have moved to give concrete help to the brands of the Rising Sun, trying to convince the European manufacturers to grant the two Japanese brands concessions which they would not be allowed to have by regulation. A scenario that our AS colleagues discussed with Gigi Dall'Igna, speaking of the state of crisis in which Honda finds itself.
“I agree that the championship must be as balanced as possible and that a compromise must be found to ensure that everyone can fight for the top positions, but the best must always prevail, because this is a sport and sport works like this. It's right to help teams in difficulty, but it's right to do it fairly," commented the Ducati Corse director.
The Veneto engineer does not completely close the door on aid to Japanese factories, however underlining how HRC’s negative momentum should not be considered MotoGP’s responsibility and should not have repercussions on the work done by the other brands.
“I don't think it's a problem of the championship. Honestly, we have a wonderful and spectacular championship with great racing. I am proud to work in a competition like this", said Dall'Igna, aware of the hard work done by Ducati to reach the top: "It has been very difficult to get here, with many years of sacrifices by everyone at the inside the factory and this needs to be recognised. All of this cannot be lost in the coming years, due to possible concessions that are too favourable to others”.
After all, Alberto Puig himself praised the work done by the men from Borgo Panigale, admitting how much Honda are lagging behind with respect to Ducati. His words were welcomed with satisfaction by Dall'Igna, who did not, however, wish to say too much about the moment being experienced by Marc Marquez and about a possible interest from Ducati in the eight-time world champion.
“Honestly, that can only make us feel proud. It was said by a sportsman who has worked in motorcycle racing for many years, which is even more pleasing - the engineer acknowledged, commenting on the Spaniard's words - It's never nice to see a great champion like Marquez suffer and risk so much. Honestly, he's not in the position he deserves."
