MotoGP Stewards reject protests on Ducati aero - Updated

The FIM MotoGP Stewards have rejected protests over Ducati’s new aerodynamic device on the rear swingarm used on the GP19, while an appeal process is still ongoing.

Representatives from Aprilia, KTM, Honda and Suzuki lodged protests against Ducati’s aerodynamic parts, in particular the new rear swingarm part suspected of cooling the rear tyre on the GP19, following the result of the 2019 MotoGP season opener in Qatar which was won by Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso.

In a post-race statement MotoGP officials confirmed the FIM Stewards have rejected the appeals “based on the guidelines and regulations currently in force” permitting the device as part of the swingarm.

As a result of the decision, the Qatar MotoGP race result remains unchanged.

Officials also confirmed an appeal process has started with the matter sent to the MotoGP Court of Appeals “in order to attain more information”.

Dovizioso won the Qatar MotoGP by 0.023s from Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez with team-mate Danilo Petrucci finishing in sixth place, while Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller – the only other rider on a GP19 this year – retired from the race following his broken seat.

Both Petrucci and Miller used the parts throughout the race weekend – including the Grand Prix – in Qatar, while Dovizioso resisted trying it until Sunday’s warm-up session before opting to have it on his GP19 for the race.

Dovizioso is trying the new Ducati front and rear wheel aero parts for the first time this weekend.

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