Davide Tardozzi Interview
Now you (ducati) have gone the open class it is probably the best decision you could’ve made for the year and whatever happens because in the end MotoGP is going to be an open class anyway with the move to a Control ECU in 2016. Now Honda have gone open class and this upgrade of Magnetti Marelli software, is this part of the plan?”
Davide Tardozzi; Pause Mm mmm (cough) pause “Gigi and the factory take the decision to go with open class on the last day of Sepang after having more data is more possible to take the proper decision and I absolutely think this is the right decision but, we have to think that the rules are very clear.
“MotoGP rules are right like an open class. This is what FIM rules says that FIM rules says that the factory can have the option to have four factory bikes with different rules that means with 20 litres with own ECU but the rules of MotoGP are that the open class rules, they are in different rules because the MotoGP rules are what open says.
“It is not us that choose a different rule its them that choose a different rule because If you read the FIM book it is right that the open class is with this, this this and this, with Dorna ECU etc. In agreement with MSMA we make an option to this rule and 2.3.6 I don’t remember exactly but should be like this) says this the factory has the option to have a maximum of four bike each with a different rule that is 20 litres, five engines and their own ECU. They are in a different rule. Not us. We follow the rules of MotoGP. Because open is the rule of MotoGP.”
But now you have the software upgrade is upsetting people…
“This is in the rule. If somebody wants to have ( I don’t know) we are now using what Marelli is giving us, but the rules says if you want to make a proposal to marelli to update the ECU, is not a problem, the only thing is that then it will belong to everybody If Forward Yamaha wants to give an upgrade to Marelli, it is not a problem. Ducati will see this upgrade too
“It’s in the rules that you can suggest updates,. If they agree that your update can help, can be useful, they accept and give to everybody. They make an update of the software and the next race you have an update to everybody.
“It’s very easy. I do not understand their complaints.”
I had to ask because I have been asking questions of others and I want to get the balance.
Davide Tardozzi; “I am answering”
Yes, yes. It is perfect and I can see your passion for it as well.
“It is very easy but again I would like to say we are in the rules that are MotoGP rules because it is clear in the writing in the FIM book and who is still factory has the option to develop his own ECU and have an advantage but this advantage that they have is balanced with only five engines and 20 litres.”
But you can do unlimited testing with your riders?
“We can do unlimited testing, yes, but have you seen the schedule of the championship? How many tests do you think we will make? (Much laughter) Its impossible. I mean we will have one test more, maybe two impossible to have more, In the end of the year I do not think – I think it is impossible to say, obviously, but I do not think time will allow more than one or two test more. It’s impossible.”
But you have a test rider?
“Yes Michele Pirro, but its exactly like if you are factory or open its exactly what Honda or Yamaha have in Japan, we have in Europe. Michael is more controlled because people see him, but how many days, how many laps do the Yamaha and Honda test riders do in Japan? So, I don’t think we are different from the other.
“Again, we follow the open GP rules…”
