In the fast-paced and highly technical world of MotoGP, a strong relationship between rider and engineer is crucial. Ducati’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, has recently spoken about how valuable Marc Márquez has become to the team in just a short time. Since joining Ducati, Márquez has already made a significant impact—not only with his performance on the bike but also with the level of technical insight he brings to the engineering team.
Dall’Igna, one of the most respected minds in the paddock, emphasized that working with a rider like Márquez is a rare and rewarding experience. “He’s very precise with his feedback,” the Italian engineer explained. “And that precision helps us engineers translate what he feels on the track into data we can use.”
The Italian compared their dynamic to other legendary pairings in sport, such as Lionel Messi with Pep Guardiola, or Fernando Alonso with renowned engineer Adrian Newey. According to Dall’Igna, when two experts in their fields come together, the results can be extraordinary. It’s a matter of mutual understanding, shared goals, and clear communication.
Even though only six races have passed since Márquez joined Ducati, Dall’Igna is already seeing the benefits. “He’s helped us identify areas for improvement. A rider doesn’t just need to be fast—they need to help the team grow. Marc does that.”
One of the core messages from Dall’Igna was the importance of communication. In MotoGP, raw speed isn’t enough. Engineers rely on the rider to explain what the bike is doing. It’s only through this interaction that technical teams can align what’s seen on the telemetry data with the rider’s feel and experience. “As engineers, we need to value numbers, not just words,” Dall’Igna stated. “But to move forward, we need to understand what the rider is saying while reading that data.”
This attention to detail is something Dall’Igna deeply appreciates in Márquez. Beyond being a world-class rider, Marc is someone who uses every piece of information and equipment to its fullest. “He’s extremely efficient with the tools we give him,” Dall’Igna added.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without bumps. Márquez has already experienced two crashes this season. But Dall’Igna downplayed these as lapses in focus rather than riding mistakes. “From my perspective, they weren’t technical errors, just moments where clarity was missing. These things happen when you’re pushing the limits.”
Despite those incidents, Dall’Igna is confident that Márquez is a long-term asset. “There’s no doubt he’s someone we can count on for big goals. We’re working hard to replicate the same success we’ve had with Pecco Bagnaia. Marc is part of that vision now.”
Ultimately, Dall’Igna’s admiration for Márquez highlights how critical synergy between rider and engineer is in modern MotoGP. It’s not just about speed—it’s about strategy, intelligence, and mutual respect. And with Márquez and Dall’Igna now working together, Ducati may be setting itself up for another dominant chapter in MotoGP history.
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