Voluminous and very similar to side fins linked together by a vertical part, the new Ducati fairings have obviously caused a lot of ink to flow. We are talking about a recovery of at least 40% of the support provided by the now banned fins...
What are the reactions of the competition?
Roman Albesian (Aprilia): “Ducati's work is something extreme which in fact betrays the spirit of the regulations. In reality, other manufacturers covered the aerodynamic appendages, and in practice, they connected them with the fairing. However, Ducati has gone further: theirs are like a double fairing effect. This was not what the rule meant. We had to create a new shape, like we did with the RS-GP fairing that Sam Lowes uses. »
Dani Pedrosa : “I hope no handlebars get caught in it. »
Marc Marquez : “I think they were more dangerous last year with the big fins. Of course, (their shape) is a bit strange because, if you fall, the pilot's arm can get stuck in it. Not from another rider but from the rider of the motorcycle. I don't know. Of course, motorcycling sport will always be dangerous, but if it's regulatory, if the fairing is approved, for me it's OK. »
Valentino Rossi : “(Sigh) I think at the end of last year, from what I understand, the main reason for banning fins was that they were a bit dangerous. So they tried to avoid them with the regulation. I don't know if that's fair or not, but that's how it is. But in the end it seems that the rules don't work since we have a very similar situation with the new Ducati fairings. But for me, personally, well, I don't think it's particularly dangerous. »
What do the interested parties think?
Danilo Petrucci : “It was a mistake to use the new fairing in FP3. Let me explain: we made life complicated because we didn't change the settings of the bike, and so it didn't work. The fairing had provided benefits at Misano and could have done the same here, but it requires time to try it out. We put it together for FP3 which is important, and that made us miss the direct passage to Q2. »
Jorge Lorenzo : “For me, it suits me well, but we lose quite a bit in a straight line. Compared to Dovi, I lose 7 km/h in the straight while normally, I gain a little because I am smaller. Not everything is positive. For example, Petrucci tried it but he didn't like it. He helps me because I need support at the front. I'll keep it tomorrow. »
