Marc Marquez had an eventful baptism of fire at the brand new Balaton Park circuit in Hungary during a test held on August 5 with the Ducati MotoGP riders, ahead of the first Hungarian Grand Prix scheduled just after the Austrian round.
Unable to use the official Desmosedici GP due to the regulations, all the drivers Ducati had to settle for a Panigale V4 S, a superbike developed around a power of 216 horses and incorporating many technologies from MotoGP.
A video published by Ducati on his social networks reveals several highlights of this test like no other, including the discovery by Marquez of the complex electronics of the Panigale V4, a machine that he has not yet fully mastered.
During a pit stop, Marc asks his mechanic to " put more preload on the rear shock " But that's when Michele Pirro, test pilot Ducati, intervenes: " look, you can do it from here " he shows him, pointing to the dashboard. " You can even adjust it while driving with this little wheel »
Surprised, Marquez takes the opportunity to inquire about the traction control setting: "Is it at the minimum?" » "No, you put it in the middle, we can make it a little smaller." " he replies PirroMarc then confides: “ I have a lot of traction, but I'm not sure how to ride with this setting »
Pirro then advises the six-time champion to test the traction control at different levels on the track Balaton Park, particularly demanding with its slow bends where rear traction management is crucial.
Marc Marquez: “ I don't understand why I can't use the rear brake »
But the day does not pass without incident: in another sequence, Marquez returns to the pits with the stained suit and the side of the panigale damaged. Asked by Pirro, he admits to having fallen for the second time of the day, again due to a lack of confidence in the rear brake when entering a bend.
« The engine brake on this bike is complicated to understand ", Explain Marquez. " With the worn tires, I switched to mapping 3. But there, the bike really pushes hard, as in the previous fall. I don't understand why I can't use the rear brake. »
These first steps in Panigale V4 à Balaton Park illustrate how even an exceptional pilot like Marquez must adapt and learn to tame the subtleties of a new machine, even with all his experience. The Catalan continues his apprenticeship, determined to master his Desmosedici with the aim of shining in the Grand Prix MotoGP Hungarian.
