Of all the riders who have taken the lead in MotoGP by entering this 2023 vintage through the open door at Sepang, a track reserved for three days of testing, it is undoubtedly World Champion Pecco Bagnaia who is the happiest. The Official Ducati has in fact already put its new GP23 at the level of its previous and formidable GP22, or very close to it. This time he assures us, there will be no delay in lighting for the red tunics when the season kicks off in Portimao on March 26. Has mass been said yet? We will see, but it seems clear to the Piedmontese that the competition will mainly come from his Ducati clan with the GP22s.
With seven of its motorcycles in the top 10, the brand Ducati can, since his three days of testing at Sepang, look to the future with great serenity. In principle, the Borgo Panigale staff is choosy about a few details, but the era of Borgo Panigale in MotoGP that was so much heralded this winter seems to be well and truly beginning. And he's not the World Champion Pecco Bagnaia who will say the opposite. Especially after these tests in Malaysia who, so to speak, fulfilled it: “ I am very satisfied and proud of the work accomplished during these three days of testing » comments the Italian without the slightest ambiguity. « We managed to solve not all the problems, but almost, and now we are exactly where the GP22 is. I also tried a few runs against the clock at the end of the day and the sensations were excellent. The first few fast laps are the hardest because you're not focused on speed with your head having to work on so many things ».
And the result of these qualifying laps was to find himself second in the standings, only 80 thousandths behind the GP22 of Luca marini. A machine that will stay in the game, he assures: “ The Ducati is undoubtedly one of the most competitive motorcycles. The GP22 will be around for at least two more years and the results of the drivers who use it show it. » he rejoices. “ As for the GP23, most of the work was done on the straight. In terms of top speed we were scary and now we have fixed that in power as well. It still lacks a little maneuverability compared to the GP22, it's a little nervous when exiting corners » analyzes the official Ducati.
Pecco Bagnaia: “ we managed to solve everything«
Seen like this, the World Champion is already ready to enter the 2023 fray: “ we checked most of the boxes in these tests. However, it is clear that during the season we will continue to develop the bike and improve it. My goal here in testing was to immediately get back to GP22 level and we achieved that ". He assures that all that remains is to define the new aerodynamics at Portimao before having his 2023 package at the top.
The sensations are therefore definitely better than last year at the same time: “ Last year the tests were much more difficult, this time my concern was only to finish the tests satisfied. We have managed to resolve everything, so I am very satisfied with the work done here in Sepang ».
Will other news arrive in Portimao? “ I made my requests, even if it's not something aerodynamic. I have an idea in mind, but I can only confirm it in Portimao. We will still have the GP22 available, but I think we will continue to work with the new evolution of 2023 ». Pecco Bagnaia ends on the relationship with his new teammate Enea Bastianiani : " we talked during the tests, in particular by sharing our feelings on the bike. It was essential that we work together for the development and we always found ourselves in tune with the thought ».
Ranking of MotoGP Test results at Sepang J3:
Combined ranking of the MotoGP Test at Sepang J1/J2/J3:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
