The question of fins the return. Some drivers, particularly at Honda, stigmatized the appendages as potential dangers on the track. There was even talk of knife blades following the clash between Iannone and Marquez's rear camera. At the same time, Ducati, initiator of the movement, swore that the fins were, on the contrary, a guarantee of safety since they pinned the powerful machines to the ground. This is the first argument that prevailed on the regulation side. But on the track side, many agree with the other camp.
Moreover, the latest tests carried out at Valencia did not lead to a closed debate. It's actually quite the opposite because the motorcycles present continued to turn with the fins. From Yamaha to Ducati, we are polishing our aerodynamic weapons for surprises at the start of the school year. And yet, the regulations are unequivocal: we don’t want to hear any more about the subject!
Except that the accessories removed, the motorcycle reminds us that it is a very powerful wild beast. At the house of KTM, we bring our voice to the debate because, if the RC16 has never worn these appendages, we have of course worked on the subject, with a simulation presenting an advantage of 4/10th per lap. And we saw, like everyone else, that the emasculated machines reared up a lot, and that the braking phases became more delicate. And then, if the ailerons were doomed to criticism when taking the aspiration, because of the turbulence felt, a naked missile launched at more than 350 km/h on the Mugello straight will not be a panacea either.
SO ? So, almost 300 hp and 350 km/h at peak without the slightest aerodynamic trick, it promises to be difficult. Whoever takes care of the V4 at KTM, Kurt Trieb, wonders about GP One : " 350 km/h at Mugello is too much. I'm not happy to see so much power and speed. If they had asked me what type of engine would have been needed for MotoGP, I would have said a 600cc prototype with limited electronics. That would be interesting. That said, I love the RC16 engine. But the current MotoGPs are too powerful ". And also less electronically assisted due to the standard box.
