Rival MotoGP teams protest Ducati after Dovizioso's Qatar GP win
The Ducati MotoGP team is facing an investigation following its Qatar Grand Prix victory with Andrea Dovizioso, regarding a rear tyre winglet it used during the race
Ducati introduced a new winglet positioned right in front of the rear tyre for the season opener at Losail.
Four of Ducati's five rival manufacturers - Honda, Suzuki, Aprilia and KTM - filed a complaint to race direction over the legality of the winglet after the race.
The device is thought to be used for cooling the rear tyre.
It was initially trialled by Danilo Petrucci, and both he and team-mate Dovizioso then used the winglet during the race.
Dovizioso went on to win by just 0.023 seconds over Marc Marquez, while Petrucci was sixth.
Ducati has now been requested by MotoGP's technical directors to hand over the parts for inspection to determine whether they comply with the current regulations.
Both Dovizioso and Petrucci's results are provisional pending the outcome of the investigation.
Autosport understands the technical delegates were already aware of the device, but could not launch an investigation until a formal complaint had been submitted
Share Or Save This Story
MotoGP considers reducing riders to one bike from 2027
Why Ducati has no doubts about Marquez’s future
Why the Catalan GP chaos may finally force MotoGP riders to unite
Dovizioso signs as MotoGP test rider for Yamaha
Dovizioso to test Yamaha MotoGP bike in place of Crutchlow
Why Marquez’s toughest MotoGP foe is stopping at the right time
Marquez was “racing with one and a half arms” before French MotoGP crash
Marc Marquez to miss at least two MotoGP grands prix after Le Mans highside
The uncomfortable questions posed by Marc Marquez’s recent MotoGP form
BTCC Snetterton: Rainford dominates to lead home Ingram
Why we need to talk about social media in F1
Super Formula Suzuka: Fukuzumi sees off Iwasa for Rookie Racing's first win
Hamilton’s sim-less approach seems to pay off as he outqualifies Leclerc twice at Canadian GP
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments