Aprilia tries out a rear wing with Lorenzo Savadori for more downforce on the rear wheel – In certain situations this is said to have a positive effect
Aprilia put a small rear wing on the MotoGP bike at the home race in Mugello to generate downforce on the rear wheel. Such wings – although much larger – are familiar from Formula 1, but on a Grand Prix motorbike this is a novelty.
The regulations allow attachments on the hump behind the seat. The “aerobody” includes the side fairing, the windshield, and the area by the front tyre with the mudguard. There is also a defined zone at the bottom in front of the rear tyre for the deflector.
Experiments with aerodynamics in the rear are not new, however. Ducati tried side air deflectors to the left and right of the hump behind the seat in late 2018. However, the Italians discarded this idea after a few test rides. A proper rear wing is therefore new.
Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori tried two slightly differently shaped versions on Friday. “We have to look at his information,” Aleix Espargaro said of his colleague’s work. “I haven’t checked yet. “
I spy some new aero! @lorysava32 has an interesting winglet on the tail unit of his RS-GP! MotoGPItalianGP pic.twitter.com/6dHuV5Ak0V
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) May 27, 2022
How much impact can such a small wing create? After all, it is hidden by the driver’s back. “I’ve seen the data from the wind tunnel and it looks interesting,” the Spaniard continues. “In certain aspects, the wing provides more pressure.”
Modern MotoGP is all about details, finding small advances. Espargaro describes the ulterior motive of the wing: “In certain situations the rear wheel becomes light. That’s why I can’t increase the engine brake.”
“For this reason, I requested that they try something to give us more pressure on the rear wheel. They are working on different areas to improve that. One area of that is aerodynamics. That’s welcome. “
Even more “dirty air” for following riders?
He himself has not yet tried the wing on the track. But doesn’t this development go too much in the direction of Formula 1? In the premier class on four wheels, the aerodynamics create turbulence (“dirty air”), which causes the driver behind to lose downforce and find it difficult to follow.
Can the same thing happen with the wing in MotoGP? “I hope it causes a lot of problems,” Espargaro laughs, then adds seriously, “I have no idea. You can’t simulate it in the wind tunnel.”
“Sure there is some turbulence, but I don’t think it makes a big difference on the straight. We’re not developing this to improve anything at 350 km/h.” Whether rear wings will now be the new MotoGP technology trend remains to be seen.
