Ducati’s controversial aerodynamic device has been cleared by the FIM and its victory at the 2019 MotoGP opener stands

Andrea Dovizioso has been confirmed as the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix winner after the FIM ruled that Ducati’s rear-swingarm aerodynamic device is legal.

Four teams – Suzuki Ecstar, Repsol Honda, Red Bull KTM and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – appealed against Jack Miller, Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci. 

Petrucci, who finished sixth for Ducati, was the first rider to have used the device, which cools the rear-tyre more effectively. As a result, Ducati claimed that the device was fitted on the grounds of safety, not for an aerodynamic advantage.

“However, when Ducati fitted the device to the GP19 of Dovizioso for the Qatar race all hell broke loose in rival garages,” wrote Mat Oxley in his complete analysis of the controversy.

Our MotoGP expert spoke to Alfa Romeo Racing Formula 1 aerodynamicist Ali Rowland-Rouse, who called the device the “holy grail of downforce”.

More: Will Ducati and Dovi be axed from Qatar MotoGP results?

The FIM made the ruling after the Qatar GP, in a hearing on March 22, and handed down its decision on March 26.

“The protesting teams considered that the device was primarily an aerodynamic device and therefore not compliant with the MotoGP technical regulations. After a hearing, the four protests were rejected,” read the FIM’s statement that was issued on Tuesday. 

While the FIM concluded that the four teams’ appeals were “admissable”, it also said: “The provisional race results are confirmed and are declared as final.

“The request to declare the Device illegal and ban its use in future races is rejected,” concluded the ruling body.