The MotoGP has implemented a new concessions system for the 2024 season with the aim of allowing Yamaha and Honda to enhance their performance after facing challenges in 2023. This new system provides various benefits to Yamaha and Honda, such as unlimited testing, unrestricted engine development, and aerodynamic advancements. However, it is Ducati that will suffer the most under these new rules, as they will be limited in terms of test tires, private testing, engine development, and wildcard entries.
Ducati’s Perspective
Despite the concessions granted to their competitors, Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia shares his belief that nothing needed to change for Ducati itself, given the existing rules they operated under. These rules already restricted Ducati from testing in-season with race riders, developing their engine during the season, and limited them to one aero update per year. Bagnaia finds it difficult to comprehend why the concessions for others are significant, particularly when considering the advantages that Honda and Yamaha will now have.
At Ducati’s 2024 launch event, Bagnaia expressed his concerns, stating, “For me, for Ducati, it had to be the same and not reduce days of testing or the number of tires or the wildcards.” He further emphasized that the concessions provided to Yamaha and Honda are substantial, potentially giving them a major advantage in the upcoming season. Bagnaia pointed out that Yamaha has already gained an advantage with the addition of Massimo Bartolini, formerly from Ducati, further strengthening their team’s capabilities.
Gresini Racing Unveils Livery for 2024
In addition to the changes brought about by the new concessions system, Gresini Racing revealed their livery for the 2024 season. The team will feature Marc Marquez, the eight-time world champion who made the switch from Honda at the end of the previous year. Marquez showcased impressive skills during the post-season Valencia test in November, where he secured a fourth-place finish, just 0.171s off the pace. This performance has led many to believe that Marquez will significantly impact the competitive order within Ducati.
Bagnaia, however, attempts to downplay the potential threat Marquez poses. He believes that there are several other highly competitive riders for the upcoming season. While acknowledging that Marquez will have a winning bike at his disposal, Bagnaia remains confident in the abilities of his fellow competitors.
The introduction of the new concessions system in MotoGP has sparked various reactions and concerns. While it aims to improve the competitive form of Yamaha and Honda, the system appears to put Ducati at a disadvantage. Bagnaia highlights the disparity in the concessions, questioning why Ducati’s existing restrictions were not considered when implementing these changes. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these new rules impact the dynamics within the MotoGP and whether Ducati can overcome the challenges they face.
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