Since last Sunday, when Jorge Martin He crossed the finish line in third position during the last grand prix of the course, There were many members of the paddock from MotoGP World Championshipas well as the fans, who raised their hands to apologize to Ducati. The Borgo Panigale brand spent over a year ensuring that the four riders competing on the latest specification of their bike, the Desmosedici, They were going to have exactly the same technical coverage to face the title assault.
This implied Pecco Bagnaiathe champion, now Enea Bastianinihis neighbor in the official team; and Martin and Franco Morbidellithe couple who competed under the aegis of Pramac Racingthe only training with direct support from the manufacturer. Despite the insistence of all the leaders of the red motorcycle company, both Claudio Domenicali, the CEO, and Gigi Dall'Igna, the general director, the vast majority of the traveling caravan following the competition could not get there. believe. This majority reaction was partly logical.
How was Ducati going to allow a satellite team to be champion with its bike? Well, where many saw this possibility as a threat to the beauty of even the most image-conscious brand, Officials identified an opportunity to subvert the established narrative and strike another chord.
Barely a week after Martín became Tour champion, after participating in a delicious exchange with Bagnaia, who accepted defeat like a gentlemanthe general perception is that the plan of Ducati It's a victory for the Bologna manufacturer, which turned a defeat into a historic triumph. And not just because the champion imitated Valentino Rossithe last one who until then had won the crown within an independent team, in 2001, with Sling and in the era of two-stroke engines (500cc).
Although it is true that Martín is already part of Apriliawith whom he made his debut last Tuesday during the collective test which took place in Montmeló, Let no one be fooled by the possibility that the Madrilenian could wear number #01; something that, most likely, has not yet been decided. “If Jorge wants it, Aprilia will take the No. 01, but what he won't take is the title.”explain Mauro Grassilli, sports director of the Italian firm, in conversation with Motorsport.com.
Certainly, The Ducati customer's sense of belonging is the strongest among those who participate in MotoGP. In this case and, with nuances, something similar to the case of Ferrari occurs in the Formula 1. This same community is the one on which the campaign which governs the brand's website was created, under the title of “Fantastic Four”in allusion to the poker trained by Martín, Bagnaia, Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini at the top of the points standings. This is the explicit manifestation of the fair treatment that Ducati has given to its riders. With this idea in mind, It was important to remain consistent in the message, even in delicate moments, such as when Martín's departure was confirmed.
“It was important that we convey to him that, even if he leaves for Aprilia, we will keep our promise and that he will be able to compete on an equal footing.” adds Grassilli. As a marketing expert, the work of this newcomer –He made his debut this season as a replacement for Paolo Ciabatti.– He also had to explain to the sponsors of the official garage that there was a possibility that he would win a Ducati but not his own, but the satellite.
As the Montmeló test approaches, Motorsport.com sat down with Dall'Igna and asked him about the strategy behind the decision not to short Pramac. “In the end, our bike and our image win. We couldn't afford not to comply, and we believe what happened shows that our values are powerful and we are consistent with them. “highlights the most influential engineer of the modern era of MotoGP, whose influence on Ducati goes far beyond simple prototype design.
In fact, his support for Martín reached the last moment, as evidenced by the advice he gave him on the same Sunday of the Montmeló race. “Gigi recommended I go out with the medium rear tire, when Pecco opted for the soft tire.. But it was the one that suited me best. I always felt protected as much as possible,” said Martín, amid the celebrations.
Gigi Dall'igna, Enea Bastianini, Ducati team
Arthur Vilalta He is responsible for communications for Ducati in the championship. He, together with Grassilli, was responsible for drawing a line of coherence in the speech projected by the most representative voices, with that of Dall'Igna above the others. “You had to be ready to answer what questions and when. There were those who seemed convinced that Ducati would not let Martín win, which turned out to be false.“, said the Catalan, during a telephone conversation.
Even more important than the speech adopted was the management that Ducati had to do with Pramac, to whom it supplied seven of its own engineers. Dall'Igna's cleanliness and his desire to prevent anyone from having the slightest doubt about the treatment reserved for Paolo Campionoti's troops can be explained by a very important detail: Dall'Igna has decided to freeze the development of the GP24, the bike of Martín and Bagnaia, after the British Grand Prixto ensure that both have the same weapons to compete for the title of champion.
This did not prevent the most unbelievers from believing that Ducati would keep their word, which Martín's title undoubtedly allowed. Never has a “defeat” aroused so much satisfaction.
