Ducati innovates on all levels. MotoGP tire pressure guidelines, first introduced at the British Grand Prix in 2023, have made their mark on the paddock and now appear to be here to stay. Teams and drivers must respect a minimum pressure for their Michelin tires, under penalty of sanctions. Last year, failure to comply with this rule resulted in a graduated scale of penalties. But in 2024, a new turning point: instead of disqualifications, a time penalty is applied, with a tolerance threshold for offending laps adjusted to 60% for Sunday races.
It is in this context that Ducati, always at the forefront of innovation, has introduced a gadget as simple as it is effective on its Desmosedici: a special pneumatic pressure rev counter. “ We integrated something great into the dashboard: a lap countdown respecting pressure standards. When you reach the quota, bam, you're free to go without worrying about finishing the race with a penalty" , Explain Fabio DiGiannantonio, the newcomer to Pertamina Enduro VR46. “ It's super simple, you just have to take a look at the dashboard and follow the countdown."
This tip, which has probably spread to other manufacturers, could well transform racing strategies.
Fabio Di Giannantonio Ducati: “ it will surely change the situation, we will have to play finely to stay on target »
The drivers could in fact opt for conservative driving at the start, then put the turbo on once the famous 60% of the race has been reached. “ It will surely be a game changer. Gone are the days when a driver breaks away from the peloton to lead his leisurely race. Now we're going to have to play finely to stay on track", Reveals By Giannantonio.
The system is called “Slip” by Ducati, a code to tell drivers to stick behind another to increase tire pressure, especially the front tire, considered more capricious to manage. “ For the rear tire, it's easy, a little drift and the pressure builds. But the front is a different story" , entrusts By Giannantonio.
Thus, MotoGP races could transform into tactical ballets where each rider will wait for the right moment to launch their attack, a prospect which promises electric ends of the race. ducati, with its revolutionary counter, perhaps opens a new strategic era in the world of MotoGP.
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