Ducati technical director Luigi Dall’Igna has addressed his team’s difficult start to the 2026 MotoGP season, with Aprilia emerging as the early benchmark and Ducati unexpectedly trailing in performance.
Aprilia’s strong form has seen them take control of the opening rounds, putting pressure on Ducati’s bid to remain the dominant manufacturer in the championship. While MotoGP’s concession system has been designed to help balance competitiveness, Dall’Igna does not believe it is the reason behind Ducati’s current struggles.
Instead, he emphasized that Ducati must take responsibility for its own performance and development direction. According to Dall’Igna, the focus is on improving the bike and returning to a level where it can once again compete consistently at the front.
Source: Motorcycle & Powersport News
The Italian also confirmed that Ducati is actively working on upgrades, including planned testing sessions following the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. These tests are expected to play a key role in identifying solutions to close the gap to Aprilia and regain competitiveness.
Despite the setback, Ducati remains confident in its long-term development process. The team believes that with targeted updates and continued refinement, it can recover performance and re-establish itself as a leading force as the season progresses.
For now, however, Aprilia’s rapid improvement has reshaped the competitive order, forcing Ducati into an unfamiliar position as it works to respond to rising pressure from its rivals.
