The technical evolution of MotoGP raises questions at a time when the Ducati philosophy has imposed itself on the rest of the field, even violently pushing a Honda brand which until then was the reference, if not the leader, into the ropes. The new reign which gives all the more hives as there is absolutely nothing to reproach the Italians who scrupulously followed a regulation which offered possibilities that the Japanese never suspected. In summary, the machines are going faster and faster, also putting more and more strain on their pilot. And then there is this strong symbol of top speed which reaches stratospheric levels. Jorge Lorenzo is worried about it, but it’s not just him…
If we want to make an impression on the technical evolution of MotoGP in relation to safety, we must talk about top speed. Even if, from the point of view of accidents, it is the velocity imparted when passing through the curve, in the non-ductile clearance zones, which raises more questions. But there are figures that speak. Thus, the absolute record recorded in a straight line dates from this year, at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello with a George Martin which borders on the field of ballistics with 363,6 km/h. This is 1,2 km/h better than another Ducati last year, but also better than KTM. One year ago, Brad Binder thus reached a top speed of 362,4 km/h with his factory RC16 at Mugello.
Values that challenge Jorge Lorenzo who comments in comments spotted on Todocircuito : " if motorcycles reach 365 km/h you have to ask yourself whether to give freedom until you reach 400 km/h ". Por Fuera thus captures attention and gives satisfaction to KTM who also asks: “ above 360 km/h, we enter critical zones because the pilots are exposed to a great risk. The brakes are worn out and the crash zones are too small for these speeds » says Pete Beirer which alerts: “ you don't have to go any further. But the technology in this class will continue to develop and the bikes will become even faster. Kurt Trieb, technical director, will build us an even more powerful engine and the chassis will get even better. The tires also feel even better and then we will finally reach 370 km/h ».
Since Ducati started experimenting with aerodynamics in MotoGP five years ago, the current prototypes no longer have anything to do with the bikes we saw on the track just a few years ago. The advent of ailerons, trim correction systems, and many other inventions, most born from the minds of Gigi Dall'Igna, completely changed the dynamics of the race. In the paddock, voices are being raised to advocate for a less technologically advanced MotoGP, and in which the machine would not be as important.
Jorge Lorenzo: “with 300 hp without electronics it would be suicidal"
Dani Pedrosa explained what today's pilots experience: “ these motorcycles run faster, weigh more and are more difficult to move, because at higher speeds, with all the downforce there is, the bike is really difficult to move ". He adds : " and the track, as a result, becomes smaller. There are wider tracks like Malaysia where you can overtake, but on narrower tracks, at this speed and with these kilos, you can only follow this line. If you have to be stuck one behind the other, at the speed you're going, you don't turn anymore. Overtaking is very complicated ". However, one of his teammates at KTM, as it happens Brad Binder, made 96 of these passes during the 2022 season.
The fact remains that we hear more and more calls for corrective actions. Yes but which ones? On this point it’s a free-for-all: “ now you need to think about how to create a limit in the regulations. At the same time, developers must continue to be able to develop cutting-edge technologies. You can't say you can only use old technologies because MotoGP is prototyping and represents technical development at the highest level »Says Beirer, indicating the difficult compromise. Jorge Lorenzo Talk about " fewer turns » in the engine or even “ less displacement ”, which would amount to returning to the 800 cc MotoGP that we saw in the first decade of the 2000s. KTM we have another idea: “ the simplest would be to have worse tires. But of course Michelin doesn't want that because they don't want to go down in history with bad tires but with records “, says Beirer.
SO ? So here we are with this reality also put forward by the five-time World Champion: “ these motorcycles are easier to ride than before, but let's not kid ourselves. If you put a normal person doing laps on a circuit in MotoGP, they are 20 or 25 seconds behind. It continues to be very difficult ". And Jorge Lorenzo finished : " a good start would be to remove the fins and half of the electronics, but not all because with 300 hp without electronics it would be suicidal ».
