The Ducati prototypes with Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini date from 2019, making them the oldest on the grid. Only one other rider has a prototype whose development dates back a little, it is Franco Morbidelli, who rides a Yamaha M1 also in 2019 version. But what are the differences between the GP19, which has undergone some developments all the same, and the GP21 which equips Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia?
The main difference between the two machines lies in the chassis and the engine, which is not negligible! The 2021 Ducati prototype is obviously an evolution of that of 2019, not radically different, but there were two additional years of development for the GP21 compared to the GP19.
The easiest way to tell the two frames apart is to look at the welds on the main beam. It's a little hard to see on the chassis here because the side fairing now covers a large expanse of the frame, but the GP21 has a large weld that runs through the main beam, then closes to the carbon at the top of it, and there are some small welds that cross over and connect.
The GP21 also has an engine that has undergone developments compared to the GP19, with more power, and arguably a much more progressive connection between the throttle and the way power is delivered throughout the rev range. From the GP19 to the GP21, Ducati has managed to find more power and make it more usable, only with the peripherals, since the engine itself is frozen until the end of 2021.
In this photo, this is the GP19 driven by Tito Rabat during end-of-season 2019 testing in Jerez. We can clearly see the large horizontal weld on the frame. The GP21 moved from this type of weld to one that ran vertically across the width of the main beam. The idea behind this was to find more lateral flex at high lean angles, allowing the motorcycle's chassis to absorb bumps when leaned at high angles and helping the suspension work.
There are some notable differences in this photo. First of all, on the upper triple clamp, we note that Enea Bastianini's motorcycle only has a single lever, which allows the rear Holsehot Device to be activated. This year's Factory Ducatis have two, one for the front and one for the rear.
Then, the Salad Box: Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini have the 2019 version, which is different from the 2021 version in its form, and therefore in the elements it contains.
The last difference that we note concerns the exhaust. Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini have so far used the 2019 exhaust which is easily recognizable due to its curves. However, Enea Bastianini also had the opportunity to test a 2020 version exhaust that is much more similar to what the factory bikes are using this year. However, it seems that the Italian driver has opted for the 2019 version because his 2 prototypes are equipped with it.
Here, on Pecco Bagnaia's Ducati GP21, we can see 2 levers on the upper triple clamp. The Salad Box is very different and so is the exhaust.
Here's a closer look at the 2019 Salad Box and exhaust that Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini are using this year, here on Andrea Dovizioso's bike at the 2019 Jerez test
One of the biggest visual differences between the GP19 and GP21 concerns the aero. From a distance, the aerodynamic package of the 2021 prototype is very similar to that of 2019, with the exception of the third aerodynamic component which made an appearance on the side fairings.
Right here, the Salad Box is indeed different, it does not protrude as much as that of the 2021 version.
The aero package has evolved slightly from this. The first notable difference is that the GP19s do not have this third aerodynamic element lower on the side fairings. Secondly, the upper part of the fins of Luca Marini's prototype has a slightly smaller surface area than that of the GP21, but in general the design is very similar. The other difference is that the lower set of fins seen here has a slot in the lower member. On the GP21, it disappeared.
So, in general, while Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini are using prototypes that were two years old in development, they still share much of their DNA with the factory prototypes. They may have older equipment, a chassis considered less good, a less powerful engine, and they lack the new aerodynamic developments... but the GP19s they drive are still very high level machines. Proof of this is with the results of these 2 drivers: Luca Marini obtained his best result with a 12th place, as for Enea Bastianini, he climbed into the top 10 with a very good 9th place. Not bad for two-year-old motorcycles, in a category where the arms race reigns.
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
