Fewer overtaking manoeuvres because of too much aerodynamics and riding aids? There are definitely different views on this in the MotoGP teams’ executive suites
The technical development in MotoGP has recently been met with criticism time and again. Experts and riders alike saw the aero packages and various devices that all manufacturers are now using as reasons why overtaking has become more difficult and the races more boring.
Paolo Ciabatti, sports director at Ducati, the brand responsible for many technical innovations in the past, however, cannot see any negative influence of the technical evolution on the show. “I think it depends a lot on the circumstances,” says the Italian.
“I honestly don’t think that technology or new devices on the bike, like aerodynamics or height adjustment on the rear wheel, have anything to do with it. Because in this respect the bikes are very similar to those of last year. “
“So I don’t see it as a real problem in the sense that it makes the races less spectacular,” says Ciabatti. While he admits that there was less action in some races than in previous years, he sees other reasons for this than technology.
Ciabatti: Bikes hardly changed compared to 2021
So the Ducati sporting director confirms, “We’ve certainly seen less overtaking on some tracks than we’re used to, but I don’t think it has anything to do with development, because in my opinion there’s not such a radical difference with the bikes we used in 2021.”
And he recalls, “We saw a spectacular race at Aragon between Bagnaia and Marquez – which I think was one of the best shows we’ve seen in MotoGP in recent years.” He added that it was therefore not possible to make a blanket statement that the races have become more boring.
Massimo Meregalli, Team Manager at Yamaha, echoes Ciabatti’s words. “I share Paolo’s opinion,” he says. “Of course we have introduced many systems in the last two years, but in terms of safety, wings and many electronic strategies bring more safety to the riders. “
In addition, Meregalli confirms, “As for Ducati, our 2021 bike is very similar. And as for having less fun at the races, I don’t share that view.”
“If I can throw this in,” adds Ciabatti, “Fabio and Marc in COTA was also a very interesting show. So it’s very different from race to race.” Back then, Fabio Quartararo and Marc Marquez dueled for sixth place for laps.
Honda voices criticism – albeit indirectly
Before that, after a messed-up start, Marquez had rolled up the field from behind and overtaken numerous riders. His team manager Alberto Puig sees two sides to the debate about technical development – and what it does to racing.
“There is the rider’s opinion. He is the one who understands the bike, who sits on the bike. And then there is the show aspect. It’s the fans who decide in the end. It’s a combination of both,” Puig says. “But there is now an organiser who decides the technical rules.”
“Everyone can judge for themselves what they see and decide if they are happy with it or not. From our point of view, there is nothing more to say at the moment.” So Puig is not positioning himself as clearly as Ciabatti and Meregalli. From his words, however, it can be concluded that Honda is less than happy with the situation.
It is fitting that the team recently published a telling article on its website “Box Repsol”, in which it raises the question of whether technological progress is affecting the spectacle in MotoGP. “Sometimes it is not so easy to find the right balance,” it says.
