Ducati’s development direction in the 2024 MotoGP season raises doubts about Jorge Martin’s future with the team. It appears that Ducati may consolidate around current world champion Pecco Bagnaia and his teammate Enea Bastianini, leaving Martin to potentially look elsewhere for a seat in the 2025 season. The MotoGP rider market moves quickly, and it wouldn’t be surprising if both Ducati and Martin seek clarity on their future plans for 2025.
Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi expressed his hope to have Bagnaia’s contract extension signed before the Qatar Grand Prix next month. Bagnaia had previously expressed his preference for Bastianini as his teammate for the 2024 season. The initial feedback from the Sepang test suggests that Martin may struggle with the new Desmosedici evolution, as it seems to be more tailored to Bagnaia and Bastianini’s preferences.
The new aerodynamics package, featuring a striking cascading lower-fairing design, appears to favor the braking abilities of Bagnaia and Bastianini over Martin’s style of carrying more corner entry speed. Martin expressed his dissatisfaction with the new fairing, feeling that the bike is heavier and struggling in certain areas of the circuit. He hopes to find a solution before the start of the season.
MotoGP’s aero homologation rules mean that Martin’s choice of aero configuration for the Qatar race will be frozen for the season. There is a possibility that he will continue with the 2023 aero instead. Bastianini and Bagnaia, on the other hand, seem committed to the 2024 design, with Bastianini stating that it is better for him in 80% of the tracks.
Despite Martin’s exceptional speed during testing, it is worth noting that Bastianini’s fastest lap came with the new aero configuration. This could indicate that the new design is more suited to the Ducati riders’ preferences. Additionally, Martin was the only Ducati MotoGP rider not present at the road bike outing in Portimao, which raises questions about his absence.
Overall, there is more reason to doubt Martin’s long-term future with Ducati than to believe in it. While he remains fast on the Desmosedici, Ducati’s development direction and the team’s preference for Bagnaia and Bastianini suggest that Martin’s future with the team may be uncertain.
Ducati Factory Rider Sets New MotoGP Sepang Lap Record
In an impressive display of skill, Ducati factory rider Enea Bastianini has set a new lap record at the MotoGP Sepang circuit. On the second day of the first pre-season test, Bastianini showcased his talent and left his competitors in awe.
Yamaha’s Bid to Keep Fabio Quartararo
Yamaha is determined to prove to Fabio Quartararo that they are the team worth sticking with in MotoGP. In an interesting move, they are citing Lewis Hamilton’s decisions to move away from McLaren and Mercedes in Formula 1 as part of their pitch. Yamaha believes that by studying these rival efforts to sign Hamilton, they can learn valuable lessons and improve their own chances of retaining Quartararo.
Marc Marquez’s Rocky Start with Ducati
Marc Marquez’s first day of riding the Ducati MotoGP bike in 2024 did not go as smoothly as his debut in Valencia last November. The talented rider faced challenges and obstacles that tested his skills and resilience. It remains to be seen how Marquez will adapt and overcome these difficulties in the future.
Raul Fernandez Joins Franco Morbidelli on the Sidelines
Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez has joined Franco Morbidelli on the sidelines for the remainder of the three-day MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang. Both riders will be unable to participate due to undisclosed reasons. This setback will undoubtedly be disappointing for their teams and fans alike.
Franco Morbidelli’s Absence in Pre-Season Testing
Pramac Ducati MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will not only miss the current pre-season test at Sepang but also the upcoming one in Qatar. This decision comes as a consequence of Morbidelli’s crash during road bike testing at Portimao. The team is prioritizing his recovery and ensuring his well-being before returning to the track.
The Escalating Aero War in MotoGP
MotoGP’s aero war is intensifying in 2024, and the latest development is the appearance of a Formula 1 style aero rake during testing. This visually striking addition is bound to unsettle many fans and riders. The competition in the aerodynamics department continues to push the boundaries and captivate both die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport.
