That success in Japan brought a massive milestone for Ducati Corse general manager Luigi Dall'Igna, who notched up his 100th MotoGP victory on the pit wall of the red machines, as Motorsport.com Italia reports. Taking over the role in 2014, it took two and a half years before securing that initial breakthrough win with Andrea Iannone in 2016. From there, the operation snowballed into an absolute juggernaut, claiming four riders' titles and six constructors' crowns in the window between 2020 and 2025.
Reflecting on the century mark after the race at Motegi, Dall'Igna’s mind drifted right back to that summer afternoon at the Red Bull Ring. "Of course I am proud of the work done by all the Ducati employees in these years," he told journalists in Japan. "Of course I am happy and proud, but 100 is a nice number, which also means that I am old (laughs). This is the downside of the coin, but anyway, of course the first victory with Iannone in Austria was the most important one and I remember it with great affection."
Building a deep pool of technical know-how has been the bedrock of this entire run, according to Dall'Igna, and it is precisely what gives them the muscle to stay ahead when the rules inevitably shift. "I think the most important thing is the baggage of knowledge that we have acquired in these years," he explained, noting that the team is growing step by step and stands in a truly strong position for whatever future regulations bring.
Asked if any single machine holds a special place in his heart, he pointed directly to the 2015 bike. That particular machine delivered a real leap in quality during a time of immense pressure, making it unforgettable, though the motorcycle that claimed the first drivers' title in 2022 obviously carries massive significance too.
Now, attention turns rapidly away from the history books and toward the massive regulation changes waiting just around the corner. Next year brings an outright revolution featuring 850cc engines, scaled-down aerodynamics, and the complete banning of ride-height devices. Dall'Igna gave an update on the prototype development for this new era, noting it is not quite finished yet with crucial tests coming up next month.
He expressed satisfaction with the first phase of development, praising the testing work put in by Michele Pirro and Nicolò Bulega over the course of the year, and admitted he is curious to see what happens at Valencia after the race during the December 1 test. With only six grands prix remaining in the current 1000cc chapter, this golden era for the Bologna brand is drawing to a close, and Dall'Igna acknowledges it will be tough for anyone to ever do better than this.
