The MotoGP pre-season is underway with several noteworthy developments. Franco Morbidelli, from the Yamaha team, will miss the Sepang and Losail pre-season tests due to a small blood clot in his head from a fall. Aprilia has introduced an F1-inspired blown diffuser at the Sepang test, a concept brought over by an aerodynamicist from the Schumacher era in Ferrari, and was also spotted using a large aero rake on Miguel Oliveira's bike. Ducati's Enea Bastianini set a new lap record at Sepang, outperforming Jorge Martin. Honda rider Joan Mir expressed concerns about the team's ability to resolve its issues within the two-week testing period, despite acknowledging progress. Marc Marquez, now with Ducati, is adjusting to the GP23 after 11 years with Honda, while reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia tested a new fairing on the Ducati GP24, noting its high potential. In a significant move, the new Trackhouse MotoGP team has appointed ex-Alpine F1 team director and former Suzuki boss Davide Brivio to lead the team.
.@TrackhouseMoto making some big moves 👀 #MotoGP https://t.co/9tfoPxA63e
A huge statement of intent from the new Trackhouse #MotoGP team, as ex-Alpine #F1 team director and former Suzuki boss Davide Brivio is set to front its team 🤯 Get the full story 👇 https://t.co/q2CeUXv8Rd
Ducati has been testing a number of updates on the GP24 at the Sepang test, and Francesco Bagnaia believes the new fairing has plenty of potential. 🔗 https://t.co/4PmiTJIG6J #MotoGP
🗣️"We have to change a bit on the set-up to improve the feeling a bit." Reigning #MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia believes the new fairing Ducati tested at Sepang has a “really good potential”, as the Italian marque begins to finalise its GP24 ⬇️ https://t.co/0iV0Y5jFsd
🗣️ "I need to take out the habit of 11 years" Marc Marquez feels he is still riding Ducati’s #MotoGP challenger like a Honda due to differences in how the two bikes use rear tyres ⬇️ https://t.co/1ss1LK3YcK
Marc Marquez feels he is still like riding the Ducati GP23 as if it's Honda's #MotoGP bike. "I need to take out the habit of 11 years." https://t.co/g9B6mmq3gp
We're not sure we'll ever get used to this! 🤯 @marcmarquez93 🤝 @GresiniRacing #MotoGP #MM93 https://t.co/H2apkFtakW
Ducati’s Enea Bastianini produced a late flyer under the lap record to top the second day of the #MotoGP Sepang pre-season test, demoting Jorge Martin from the top spot ⏱️ Here's how it played out ⬇️ https://t.co/APH9m1OyoX
Ducati's Enea Bastianini broke the lap record to top the second day of #MotoGP pre-season testing at Sepang. Full report and results: https://t.co/jd0tEGtUC1
#F1 or #MotoGP? 🤨 A closer look at the large aero rake used on Miguel Oliveira's Aprilia during yesterday's #SepangTest. https://t.co/CtMM6T7YlT
A blown diffuser on a motorcycle. MotoGP aero might genuinely be the most boundary-pushing of any top-flight series right now, including 4 wheels… https://t.co/ZUFCurWy43
🗣️"The reality is that we are not at the moment where we want." Joan Mir feels Honda cannot completely turn around its #MotoGP bike in the span of two pre-season tests, but is encouraged by the progress he has witnessed so far ⬇️ https://t.co/WDNPtxj1lE
Joan Mir feels Honda cannot 'resolve' its situation in just two weeks of testing despite the progress it has made on the bike over the winter. Full story ⬇️ https://t.co/1L9LOvRQHX #MotoGP
Aprilia caused a stir in the #MotoGP paddock as it debuted an #F1-inspired blown diffuser at the Sepang pre-season test on Tuesday 🔍 Here's the full story ⬇️ https://t.co/SY4nibCL2w
Blown diffusers in bike racing? An aerodynamicist who worked at Ferrari during the Schumacher era is bringing this concept to #MotoGP in 2024. Read more here ⬇️ https://t.co/w5Hvgn8zBb #F1
As #MotoGP continues to edge closer to Formula 1-style aero, we've picked the most significant devices spotted on the bikes at Sepang. 📸 https://t.co/M5T4oHJAQR
Franco Morbidelli will miss both the Sepang and Losail pre-season test as he continues to recover from a fall that left a small blood clot in his head. Full story ⬇️ https://t.co/ysXpQ3ubkC #MotoGP