Argentinian GP – Investigation into Ducati’s victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP –

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Investigation into Ducati’s victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP

Argentinian GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

The MotoGP Court of Appeal gives itself up to the Argentinian GP to rule on the complaint filed against Ducati by Aprilia, Honda, KTM and Suzuki on the grounds of a non-compliant use of an aerodynamic appendix at the Qatar GP. The victory could be withdrawn from the Italian manufacturer and its driver Andrea Dovizioso … Explanations.

The 2019 MotoGP season had started off with a grandiose spectacle, from Viñales’ pole to Dovizioso’s snatch victory over Marquez, including Rossi’s fantastic comeback, Crutchlow’s remarkable podium and the commendable pugnacity of Quartararo after his mistake on the grid. Drivers, spectators and organizers had the banana on arrival…

  • Qatar GP –
  • MNC file : 

Except that behind the scenes there was much less encouraging action, in the form of an official protest against Ducati filed by the official teams Repsol Honda, Suzuki Ecstar, Red Bull KTM and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini. Reason? Several parts found to be non-compliant on Dovizioso, Petrucci and Miller’s motorcycles, including this kind of openwork shoe that appeared in front of the rear wheel of the GP19s during the last offseason tests in Qatar…

that this complaint was initially rejected by the MotoGP commissaires’ panel of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). But the case did not end there: the four plaintiffs immediately filed with the MotoGP Court of Appeal, explaining that they presented their point of view to Ducati before the Qatar GP.. 

This court of appeal, made up of three judges belonging to the FIM Judges’ Commission, will rule "before the Argentinian Grand Prix on March 31" informs the federal body which is planning a hearing "with representatives of the different teams ". In the meantime, the FIM will not "make any more comments" on this subject….

Argentinian GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

In other words: everyone will try to untangle this dreadful bag of knots before the second race of the season, hoping that an acceptable outcome for all parties is found. Concerning Jack Miller, the concern is already resolved: the Ducati Pramac rider had to retire after losing a piece of his saddle at the start of the race !

But if Ducati is found guilty of using an improper component, Dovizioso’s victory and Petrucci’s 6th place could be contested: "the result of the Grand Prix of Qatar depends on the final decision of the MotoGP court of appeal" , confirms the FIM.

Ducati "pushes" where it hurts

Concretely, what is he reproached with Ducati? It’s simple: the manufacturer – historically at the forefront of aerodynamics in MotoGP – is accused of having hijacked the regulations with its deflector in front of the rear wheel. The brand claims it is a device responsible for cooling the tire, but critics believe that it actually serves to generate additional downforce. The cool temperature during this night race (less than 19 ° C) does not help to validate this need to cool the rubber…

Argentine GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

If this were the case, Ducati would be at fault because his motorcycle was not approved with this part at the beginning of the year, contrary to what is now required by the new MotoGP regulations..

Davide Brivio, team manager of the Suzuki team, even specifies that "all the manufacturers have agreed to set rules on the aerodynamic question: it was a question of controlling the costs of research in this area", recalls he about this measure which aims to avoid the drifts of previous seasons, when motorcycles competed with prominent appendages redesigned for each race.

"The agreement was that each manufacturer had to homologate a fairing before the start of the championship and that only one update would be allowed during the season. It was clarified that the bike should not have other appendages. able to generate support ", underlines Brivio, pointing to the crux of the problem.

"If you run with this part, we’ll make a claim"

"But a few weeks ago Ducati presented the technical director with a part in front of the swingarm and wheel covers with the stated purpose of cooling the tire. The technical director accepted these new parts as such. Except that the engineers working for the four manufacturers (Aprilia, Honda, KTM and Suzuki, Editor’s note) have demonstrated that they actually generate aerodynamic downforce and that they are, in fact, contrary to the spirit of the regulations ".

Argentinian GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

Same story at Aprilia – which even claims to have been refused a similar part and at KTM. "We told the technical director, Danny Aldridge, and we asked him to warn Ducati," said Pit Beirer, director of KTM Motorsport. "We didn’t want this part to be used. Ducati’s point of view was clear: they are convinced they are within the rules. But other manufacturers do not agree.".

"Ducati should not accuse us of not having warned them", specifies the leader for the attention of those who accuse the four complainants of whining afterwards. "We told them clearly: if you run with this part, we will file a complaint to see if it complies".

An official complaint of this type can only be filed "during a race, not during a test or a practice session", underlines the new boss of Johann Zarco while Brivio simply assures that he wants the governing bodies to clarify "what we are can and cannot do ".

"None of us want Dovi to have his win back"

"It is not a question of taking Ducati‘s victory of Dovizioso away", even indicates Pit Beirer: "I hope that" Dovi "will not lose this victory because he deserves to win and Ducati also deserves to win with his technical performance ", he assures … with all the same a certain bad faith !

Argentine GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

This statement indeed has all the posture to look good: if the Court of Appeal declares the incriminated part non-compliant, how can one imagine for a single second that Ducati and its rider are not sanctioned? Under what pretext could the FIM leave its victory to Andrea Dovizioso if it felt that his motorcycle was circumventing the rules? ?

Not to mention the possible repercussions if Doviziso and Marquez adventure – at random! – played for the title in the final as was the case in 2017: the FIM would be irreparably accused of laxity if the Italian won with a five-point lead! However these five points were well marked with the force of the wrist on Sunday in Qatar, appendix or not … Let us recall that "Dovi" has already beaten four times Marc Marquez in the last corner !

A drift to Formula 1

"We want clarity for the future, otherwise the rear spoiler will come on the backrest", continues Pit Beirer who calls on the organizers of the Grand Prix to "contain such aerodynamic excesses" to let express the only talent of the pilots: "we want to know who is the best pilot, not who designs the best fins" !

Argentinian GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

The KTM boss is indeed right about the strict supervision of aerodynamic fairings: nobody wants MotoGP to follow the path of Formula 1, with all the excesses deplored on this subject. Especially since all these fins are actually quite unsightly…

But MotoGP is not a branded cup where everyone competes on an equal motorcycle in a limited and identical technological framework … It is even exactly the opposite: since its creation in 1949, the premier category has been the laboratory. builders ! 

Argentine GP - Investigation into Ducati's victory in Qatar up to the Argentine GP -

The challenge is of course to win the title, but also to demonstrate its technological superiority through daring solutions. Of course, each is subject to a regulatory framework. But all the finesse of engineers lies in their ability to exploit each of these aspects to take advantage of them..

If tomorrow the organizers completely lock the aerodynamic aspect, what will remain as a track to explore for the various race departments? The electronics are already largely unique – from the ECU to the inertial unit since this year – the tires come from the same supplier (Michelin) and the engines are sealed at the start of the season !

Good advisers or bad losers ?

MNC, however, does not particularly appreciate the massive use of aerodynamic elements, nor the massive expenditure that their development imposes. But unlike Pit Beirer, the Motorcycle Journal of the Net believes that by dint of overly muzzling the creative genius of engineers, the premier class risks losing its luster..

Last but not least: Aprilia and KTM, the manufacturers the most upset against Ducati, are also the two that figure at the back of the MotoGP pack … The RS-GP and RC16 must first progress in engine and chassis before claiming to compete with the references, but the situation would become problematic if their rivals continue to take the lead in aerodynamics.

Finally, Yamaha did not get involved in this case for a simple reason: its M1s sported a "shoe" similar to that of the Ducati during the offseason….

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