Massimo Rivola, at Aprilia Racing, has repeatedly complained about Ducati’s numerical supremacy on the MotoGP grid. Eight Ducatis against four bikes for KTM, Honda and Aprilia and only two Yamahas in the 2022 season. For a long time there has been talk of a possible passage of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team to the Iwata manufacturer, even if we will have to wait until 2025, when the deadline of the contract between Borgo Panigale and the Tavullia team. The debate continues to rage on the eve of a World Championship where the Desmosedici continues to inspire a certain amount of fear.
Ciabatti replies to Rivola
After the Sepang pre-season tests, Massimo Rivola complained about the risk that the MotoGP class could turn into a “one-make” championship. This was followed by an invitation to the top officials of the World Championship to avoid such situations in the future with more precise regulations. In truth, the Noale-based manufacturer managed to steal the RNF satellite team from Yamaha, intervening in a dispute between Lin Jarvis and Razlan Razali that had been going on for too long. Instead, Ducati was able to convince VR46 and Gresini Racing by offering a competitive package not only technically but also economically.
“I respect everyone’s opinions“said Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti. “On the one hand, I understand Rivola’s position. On the other hand, are other manufacturers willing to rent competitive MotoGP bikes to customer teams at a competitive price? Because in the end the team has to pay these leasing costs, which is sometimes forgotten. I know that leasing costs elsewhere are much higher than those offered by Ducati“.
The budget cap in MotoGP
Massimo Rivola is asking for a regulation inspired by Formula 1, where a manufacturer can supply a maximum of two private teams. A hypothesis that Ducati does not approve of as it would be less than exemplary. “Can you force a team to switch manufacturers and perhaps spend more money than your budget allows? I am not convinced by this ideathe sporting director told Speedweek.com. The MotoGP regulations provide for a budget cap for leasing costs per rider of approximately 1.5 million euros. A limit that is easily circumvented as it does not include the costs for accident damage and technical updates that must be addressed separately. “In the end, the spending ceiling is a rather theoretical limit and we are moving in a free market“, concluded Ciabatti.
Photo: MotoGP.com
