Riccardo, from where does your passion for LEGO stem?
R- Right from childhood, LEGO was always THE game. I would spend hours with the bricks, inventing spaceships, castles, anything that came to mind. Time would stop until I was able to perfectly recreate whatever it was that I saw in my imagination.
When did you realise that it could be more than just a simple passion?
R- When I was 30, I started to build again and thought I might try turning it into a job.
To build the 1:1 scale model of the Panigale V4 R, Riccardo worked for 400 hours, using LEGO Technic elements for the first time.
What did it mean for you to build the Panigale V4 R?
R- It was definitely a great honour, one of my most significant professional achievements so far.
What was the biggest challenge from an engineering standpoint?
R- Creating and connecting various curves, built along different axes. In constructing the fairings, we started with the lower section, affixing them to the engine to support the entire weight of the structure. As we moved towards the upper section, we created internal support modules to anchor the various curves, using pieces that would allow rotation thanks to specially designed nodes. We tested many fastening solutions, and many bike parts were rebuilt at least two or three times. But the greatest challenge of all was undoubtedly trying to match the elegance and beauty of the real Panigale V4 R.
What was it like to collaborate with the Ducati engineers?
R- The collaboration and support between us was first-rate. We were in constant contact to achieve the best possible results. Together, and with the use of renderings, we decided how to prepare the frame and bike so that it could accommodate all the LEGO® parts, including the internal elements not visible from the outside, and perfectly support the engine, just like the real Panigale V4 R.
Is there another Ducati you’d like to recreate?
R- All of them! And I’ll tell you the one I’d like to start with, the XDiavel, my favourite Ducati!
Aurelien, what distinguishes the creative process when designing a LEGO Technic?
A- Just one word: simplicity. This is the only way to obtain the best representation of the model we are creating or replicating. But simplicity is extremely hard to achieve. We must use the right element for the right detail, as LEGO® DNA dictates. We do not want a model that is overly detailed, as that would be over the top and ‘heavy’ on the eye. Our goal is to ensure that anyone looking at the model can understand it, decode it, and even imagine what functions it has and what kind of game experience it offers.
How do you approach the details?
A- I start with our dedicated element platform, which includes gears, pistons, pneumatic beams, connectors, suspension, engine blocks and many more, to build the most authentic representation of the vehicle in question. A vast range of panels then helps me to perfect the appearance, as well as recreate details with decorations or stickers. All this combined helps emphasise the model’s details and make it more authentic.
What was the biggest challenge with the LEGO Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R?
A- Without a doubt the mechanical part. We inserted a gearbox inside a LEGO Technic motorbike for the first time ever. I didn’t have any previous examples to inspire me, but I approached it like an irresistible challenge. The Ducati Panigale V4 R is a fantastic bike. I wanted our creation to be as authentic as possible and thought this innovation would make the model unique, just like the motorcycle itself.
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