Luca marini et Marco Bezzecchi, the pilots Mooney VR46 Racing Team, are two immense talents. Unfortunately, there is not room for everyone and this year may well be decisive for one of them. Who will come out on top? With the 2023 season fast approaching, we present ten topics to watch out for throughout the year. This may concern drivers, teams or other themes, with, each time, a relatively clear-cut opinion. Ihere we get wet. Of course, you are invited to say what you think in the comments.
Yesterday we returned to the case of the Aprilia factory team,
an analysis that you can find by clicking on this highlighted sentence.
Valentino Rossi was very clear regarding his expectations of his team: “The Doctor” wants as many podiums as possible. The task promises to be difficult for the two Italian drivers. First of all, let's start by studying the overall dynamics before looking at the profile of each of them.
Last year was convincing for a first, especially for such a young crew. In total, the two thieves brought home a podium, a pole and a best lap in the race to finish in 8th place in the teams' championship. Marini had a GP22, while Bezzecchi was equipped with a very efficient GP21. Luca Marini, in his second season, struggled at the start of the year but corrected his situation later, regaining his very regular form that we know from him.
Bezzecchi revealed himself. Rookie of the year in a season particularly busy with young guns, he stood out for his atypical style, very explosive and ultimately the opposite of that of his teammate. All that is well and good, but why is this 2023 campaign decisive?
There is no doubt that the two drivers are aiming for an interesting place, namely that of Johann zarco in Prima Pramac Racing.
The Frenchman had a great 2022 season mixed, even if he was ahead of his teammate Jorge Martín in the general standings. Despite these 14 points difference at the finish, the Spaniard remains the strong man, the one who has the best
momentum and, above all, the most promising with the arrival of the sprints.
The team Mooney VR46 is efficient, but it does not have the status of sister team that Prima Pramac enjoys. So, we think there is a good chance that one of them will join Paolo Campinoti's structure: Alex Marquez has just arrived at Gresini Racing and we see
Fabio DiGiannantonio a little below the VR46 duo. Once a driver is at Prima Pramac, who knows what can happen: a major poor performance from an official and a golden path opens up.
This is why the fight within the Italian team will be fascinating to follow. The VR46 will only be equipped with GP22 (latest version). Advantage to Marini therefore, who knows the machine well having ridden it for a season. However, she's so versatile and sharp that it's not really a disadvantage for Marco. The difference will be made elsewhere.
Overall, we're safe in saying that Bezzecchi had a better 2022 campaign. When he finishes the race, he brings back an average of 6,5 points compared to 6,3 for Luca Marini, was faster, more proactive with an unexpected pole in Thailand and above all, two remarkable performances at Assen et Phillip Island.
Marinis are rare on the grids. A bit like
Bradley Smith In his time, these are drivers who are capable of scoring big points regularly but who lack that burst of speed that is so important in our time.
This is why we think Bezzecchi will dominate Marini in 2023. Certainly, Valentino Rossi's half-brother played up front during the winter tests but everything suggests that "Bez" still had speed under his foot.
He had to adapt to the mount and overall, he was not far. Then, the pressure argument makes sense, because it is true that a rookie evolves more freely without being wary of the consequences: he is there to learn. But throughout the statements, we sense a lot of ambition on Bezzecchi's side and his explosive profile will help him to overcome these judgments. Yes, he will fall more often than Marini, and everyone suspects it. Luca, for his part, will progress further and probably get on the podium. But is he the driver who can go from top five candidate to true outsider over an entire season? We don't think so, without taking away any merit because we particularly appreciate his profile.
Clearly, the model desired by DORN for future years sticks more to Bezzecchi's style, or the opposite. We see him doing well in the sprints, especially since he has something to play for and can afford to take risks unlike the officials who may slow down and not play the game completely. To watch for the second part of the season, when a fall on Saturday will cost the championship dearly for the headliners.
What do you think ? Does one of the two have a chance of finishing highly ranked in 2023? Tell us in the comments!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport