The impact of sprint races on a team as well as on the technical management of a motorcycle over the course of a season is beginning to be evaluated as shown by this analysis carried out for Ducati by Gigi Dall'Igna. The Italian thus echoes Yamaha representative Lin Jarvis who advanced on this new format that it would ultimately cause little disruption in the field of engines. But it seems that the representative of the Red Army has a slightly different opinion...
Sprint races will be the big novelty of the 2023 season as the promoter's great hope Dorna to boost public interest in its MotoGP. This will also be the big unknown at the start of the campaign, because no one in Grand Prix has the slightest experience of this type of competition concentrated over half the distance of a flagship event which will take place the next day. There is only one certainty for the moment: the men and the mechanics will be put to the test. But to what extent is, for the moment, the whole question.
Gigi Dall'Igna who is at the head of the troops Ducati whose demonstration of power in 2022 was not feigned addresses the subject as follows: “ sprint racing won't be a revolution but it's certainly something different ».
« For sprint races the driver will certainly have to change his mentality«
The Italian adds: “ I think it will be very spectacular. The driver will certainly have to change his mentality because the management of the sprint race is very different compared to the traditional one. The tires will have no problem getting to the finish and I think that even from a fuel consumption point of view there will be no major constraints. It will be a race in which the driver will have to give everything from the start without developing too many strategies and for this everyone must be well prepared ».
If the director of Ducati Corse I don't see any problem with the fuel and the tires, it's not the same for the engine..." Engines that will need to be used during the season will be more in demand " mentioned Dall'Igna. " It will be essential to review the engine life management strategy. In Sepang we will make the necessary evaluations to refine these concepts ».
He ends by lifting the veil on his axis of reflection mentioned on motociclismo.it : " sprint races do not double the wear but a dedicated strategy will be necessary. Now I don't want to and I can't tell you which solution we are going to use. I will have clearer ideas after the Sepang tests ". Tests which will take place from 10 at 12 February next.
