There were a lot of new aerodynamic innovations brought to MotoGP on the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix, but it is surprising that the one we are going to tell you about today went almost unnoticed in the eyes of many, especially that it only appeared on the Ducati of the double winner of the Sprint and Grand Prix, Francis Bagnaia...
However, the championship leader had tested this solution in Friday practice, the only one to our knowledge in the Borgo Panigale clan with his teammate Enea Bastianini. And no, we are not talking to you about the fork fins, already seen at Silverstone on the Desmosedici Pramac.
In fact, it is Enea Bastianini who, on Friday morning, tested these new appendages in FP1.
They have nothing to do with the “flow cleaners” already used for a while on the Ducati (and sometimes the Moto2 of the American Racing team). There, much further apart, we have the impression that they direct the flow towards the radiator. But we are not aerodynamicists, and their shape could also provide additional support to the front tire in an inclined position.
In any case, the test must have been conclusive since in the afternoon, for the pre-qualifying session, Francesco Bagnaia had them on his Desmosedici. Curiously, we also notice that Enea Bastianini no longer had them in the afternoon: was there only one pair, as is sometimes the case before validating a new element?
On Saturday, these shovel-shaped appendages were once again successfully used by Francis Bagnaia during the Sprint, as we can see in the photo by our photographer Christian Bourget, even if, black in color, they know how to be discreet, unlike those of Aprilia...
And do it again on Sunday for the Grand Prix, in front of everyone!
Of course, we will not go so far as to say that Francesco Bagnaia had a perfect weekend in Austria (pole position, circuit record, Sprint victory and GP victory), thanks to these appendages, but it will simply be interesting to see if they will emulate the Desmosedici in Barcelona...
Tomorrow we will show you something about the Yamaha M1 of fabio quartararo...
