Pecco Bagnaia is happy with his Saturday at Sepang at the end of which he noted great progress on his GP23. The rain has certainly delayed his work plan with a new motorcycle on which he is focusing exclusively. But it also completely reassured him about his ability to ride in these conditions, a confidence that the previous version had never given him. He also talks about aerodynamics which imposes new physical constraints on pilots. An element that will have to be remembered in a season with 21 meetings and 42 races…
Unlike his teammate Enea Bastianini, who, it is true, has not experienced the GP22, riding with a GP21 last year with Gresini, the World Champion Pecco Bagnaia drives exclusively with the Ducati 2023. ' It has a lot of potential, and compared to Friday, we took a huge step forward » rejoices number 1. “ We were close to the 2022 spec. On Sunday we will work in the same direction. With the engine we are already at the same level as the old one, which is very important ».
And it’s not just that: “ I tested a new fork slightly longer. I also see a lot of potential here, but more development is needed. But I was only able to take it out twice, because then it started to rain ". But even when the drops fall, satisfaction remains: “ in the rain, we took a big step forward compared to last year, which I am very happy with. Last year I always tripped in the wet, I have a very good feeling with this bike – as in 2021 » assures the Italian who has not really commented his incident on the track with Pol Espargaró .
Pecco Bagnaia: “ the biggest advancement between the 2021 and 2022 motorcycles is the fairing«
In short, his opponents have something to worry about... Sunday, bagnaia must complete a race simulation with the new engine, and a new swingarm will also be used. There remains the aerodynamic question, a central subject in today's MotoGP. Pecco Bagnaia does not deny it and especially since he recognizes that it really impacts the physical condition of the rider... For now, the eleven-time winner in MotoGP has opted for an aero package without "ground effect", it 'that is to say a fairing without steps which provides additional contact pressure in the inclined position… " For now, I prefer the other fairing, but I will try the new one again during the Portimao tests “, revealed Pecco.
Then he adds: “ I think I'll ride with whatever makes me go faster., and if I get more tired, so be it. We are physically prepared to face many races, many laps ". He still reassures: “ you don't get to a point where you have trouble riding. For me, if something makes me go faster I use it! ».
On the subject, he specifies: “ aerodynamics ultimately affects everything. Except on the straight, where you don't feel anything different between first and sixth gear. But it affects wheelies, braking, rapid turns and changes of direction. It's something that does a lot. The biggest improvement between the 2021 and 2022 bikes is the fairing, which was smaller before ". Tomorrow Sunday, Pecco Bagnaia would like to do a race simulation… Sprint.
Ranking of MotoGP Test results at Sepang J2:
Ranking of MotoGP Test results at Sepang J1/J2:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
