MotoGP Boss Explains Pit-Lane Bust-Up

Don’t mess with Davide Tardozzi is the one lesson we learned from the Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring, after the Ducati MotoGP boss was filmed having a bit of a fracas with a rival team’s mechanic.

The video, shared on X (formally Twitter) shows Tardozzi confronting a mechanic from the Aprilia factory team. Visually angry, the 65-year-old Italian can be seen berating the unnamed mechanic and gesticulating vigorously with his index finger. The sheepish-looking mechanic seems to get the message and tries to manoeuvre himself past Tardozzi, who matches the mechanic's movements as he continues to make his feelings more than clear.

Tardozzi has now explained the moment, Tardozzi claiming that the reason for the meeting of minds was because the mechanic was caught trying to “scan” one of the VR46 Ducati MotoGP bikes.

In another video, also shared on X and shown at the bottom of the page, the same mechanic can be seen in the pitlane holding what looks like an iPad and pointing it at the rear of the VR46 bike belonging to Marco Bezzecchi, paying close attention to the aerodynamic elements located on the top of the seat unit.

Speaking to Speedweek about the incident, Tardozzi said:

“It wasn't just the VR46 Ducati … This guy also scanned the bikes at Yamaha and Pramac. People also saw him at VR46 and filmed him.

“He walked around all the bikes with the iPad - sometimes up to 10 centimetres away and in front of everyone.

“He did this without informing the bosses. Aprilia say they knew nothing. We also have a video of him scanning the Yamaha M1.”

Tardozzi went on to say how the Aprilia MotoGP boss, Romano Albesiano, was unaware of the mechanics' actions and also stressed that he didn’t wish for the individual to lose his job over the incident.

He said:

“I don't know the guy, I've never seen him. Maybe he's from the aerodynamics department. He probably wanted to be clever - but he's probably the biggest idiot!

“I told him he was doing something that wasn't allowed. He didn't say a word or show any emotion. For me, the matter is closed. Aprilia has apologised - but it's not fair.”

MotoGP continues this weekend with the Grand Prix of Aragon taking place this Sunday at 1pm UK time.