Davide Barana, Ducati | NetApp CONVERGE FY26
AI Summary
In this episode of The Cube’s coverage of NetApp Converge 2025, host Rebecca Knight and analyst Rob Stretch interview Davidida Barana, Technical Director at Ducati. Davidida discusses the vital partnership between Ducati and NetApp, which began in 2018 and has significantly impacted Ducati’s performance in motorsports. The conversation explores how data management, transfer, and analysis have become crucial to racing, highlighting the challenges of real-time data collection, especially with regulations that prevent wireless data transmission during races.
Davidida explains how AI is revolutionizing motorsports by solving complex problems, such as tire performance and characterization, that traditional analytical methods struggle with. The use of large data sets—up to 100GB per race—facilitates simulations and optimizations for bike performance, and the partnership with NetApp ensures data integrity and transfer reliability across various international tracks.
Davidida also shares insights into his 25-year career at Ducati, reflecting on his journey from engineer to Technical Director while fostering a competitive and innovative environment in engineering. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of AI in motorsports and its potential impacts on both engineering and fan engagement.