Ducati rivals ‘did not take kindly’ to one TV shot of Luigi Dall’Igna and MotoGP technical director

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Ducati had their best weekend of 2025 at the Japanese Grand Prix in September. Francesco Bagnaia won both races, while Marc Marquez sealed the world championship.

Five laps from the chequered flag, Bagnaia’s dream weekend threatened to go up, quite literally, in smoke. The exhaust leakage continued until the end of the race, but the Italian was allowed to continue.

It emerged afterwards that some of Ducati’s rivals had raised ‘safety concerns’ over Bagnaia’s bike. As one source explained to Motorsport Espana, persistent smoke can lead to oil being laid down on the track, a ‘danger’ to other riders.

In such cases, the smoking bike is sometimes shown a black and orange flag, requiring the rider to either pit for repairs or retire. There was no such instruction here, and the debate has continued behind the scenes.

IRTA technical director spoke to Luigi Dall’Igna over Francesco Bagnaia’s smoking bike in Japan

At the Austrian GP, Jack Miller stayed on the racing line when his Pramac Yamaha started depositing oil because he wasn’t notified. This resulted in a penalty, with the Australian forced to sit out the first 10 minutes of FP2 the following day.

On that basis, some manufacturers ‘immediately’ questioned why there was no action taken in the Bagnaia case.

• READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia reveals the surprising moment he nearly cried during Ducati revival at Motegi

MotoGP technical director Danny Aldridge was seen on TV speaking to Ducati boss Luigi Dall’Igna in the garage during the race. Aldridge and race director Simon Crafar were satisfied that the bike was safe after hearing his explanation.

But it’s said that rival teams ‘didn’t take kindly’ to Aldridge speaking with Dall’Igna, and the conversation being broadcast. One of them said, off the record, that ‘it wasn’t a pretty sight’.

Ducati rivals want a new ‘protocol’ after Pecco Bagnaia incident

Noting the ‘discrepancy’ between the Miller and Bagnaia incidents, the teams in question are now asking for a ‘clear protocol’ to be drawn up. They want it applied ‘under all circumstances’.

They’re also asking for a radio channel allowing them to communicate with Crafar and Aldridge. That will mean they no longer have to rush to a team’s garage, avoiding some undesirable optics.

Also on the safety front, Dorna are expected to order MotoGP circuit improvements after a series of injuries in 2025. Among them could be modifications to certain gravel traps after Marc Marquez damaged his collarbone and shoulder in Indonesia.

This weekend’s Valencia Grand Prix will be the last opportunity for the entire paddock to convene until the Sepang tests in late January and early February.