MotoGP: Ducati in favor of engine development during the season

It is a sort of consensus which is beginning to emerge within the six manufacturers involved in MotoGP. With the inflation of the number of Grands Prix in a calendar space-time which is not ductile, the off-season tests will be reduced to the bare minimum. However, it is during this period that the strategic choices in terms of engine are made. Essential decisions in regulations which then freeze any intervention on mechanics. It is therefore logical for brands to think about an arrangement giving them the right to make mistakes…

Suzuki still remembers it with its difficult 2017 season. Its technical choices had not been happy and in view of the regulations, it was then impossible for the Hamamatsu firm to go back or correct the situation. A danger which awaits all the manufacturers involved in MotoGP and which will grow all the more when the Grand Prix calendar is at 22 meetings. To honor them, offseason testing will be reduced. As a result, thinking about an engine that we can no longer touch throughout the campaign could take on the appearance of a poker move.

To have room for maneuver, the idea of ​​authorizing changes to the mechanics during the season is gaining ground. The kind of permission that exists, for example, for aerodynamic elements on the fairing. Manufacturers seem favorable to the opportunity. Recently, the technical director at Ducati, David Barana, defended the approach, even arguing that it would reduce costs.

David Barana explains as follows: “ we are open to an engine evolution during the season. This would bring benefits. If you block development from the first run, you risk spending a lot of money working on different options. Then you choose one of them and any others you don't need are lost. »

« If an engine upgrade were allowed, you could better plan the development and thus save costs. Development always works one way or the other »

Furthermore, the technical director welcomes the current general balance of the regulations: “ with engines, power is important but not that much. A new builder can reach the level in a reasonable time frame. The rules are a good compromise between different interests and points of view ". It will be recalled that with a unique electronic control unit and a manufacturer that is just as unique, MotoGP has put in place safeguards to protect it from any reckless arms race.