As the MotoGP season enters its final stretch, the debate between Ducati’s GP23 and GP24 models has reignited, especially after Marc Marquez’s dramatic engine failure at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The breakdown of Marquez’s bike while he was aiming for a podium finish in Mandalika has unearthed deeper issues with the Ducati GP23s, affecting the performance of the entire fleet, according to GPone.com.
From the start of the season, there have been ongoing discussions about whether the Ducati GP23 machines were actually more competitive than their GP24 counterparts. Marquez’s wins at Aragon and Misano on last year’s bike seemed to support this theory, with some pointing to the GP23’s apparent advantage in grip under certain conditions. However, the unexpected engine failure in Indonesia has forced Ducati to make substantial adjustments, revealing hidden vulnerabilities.
During the race in Indonesia, Marquez’s Ducati engine failed without warning. “I didn’t have any warning from the engine; it was working normally until it broke down,” Marquez stated, surprised by the sudden malfunction. Ducati’s investigation traced the issue to the flywheel, a crucial component that regulates energy and ensures consistent crankshaft speed. As the flywheel is external, it can be swapped out without violating MotoGP’s strict engine modification rules. Nevertheless, the decision to downgrade the engine’s flywheel was made as a precautionary measure, impacting all GP23s and altering their performance dynamics.
The consequences of this adjustment have not gone unnoticed by Ducati riders. Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, who also race on the GP23, have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. Bezzecchi expressed his frustration, stating, “Currently, after the improvement, the situation is worse again,” indicating that the downgrade has negatively affected bike handling. Di Giannantonio echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the inability to maintain the upgraded flywheel has widened the gap between the GP23s and the superior GP24s.
This performance gap was on full display at the recent race in Motegi. While Pecco Bagnaia, on the GP24, secured victory, Marquez finished 3.8 seconds behind in fourth place. The best GP23 finish came from Bezzecchi, who crossed the line seventh, a staggering 19 seconds behind the winner, trailing not only the GP24s of Bastianini and Morbidelli but also Brad Binder’s KTM. These results reveal that the downgraded GP23s are struggling to match the GP24s, particularly during critical race moments.
Davide Tardozzi, team manager for Ducati Lenovo, responded to questions about the changes, stating, “Some parameters were changed on both the GP23 and the GP24. If any rider preferred the previous situation, he unfortunately has to adapt.” Tardozzi’s diplomatic response attempted to downplay the impact, but it was clear the downgrade has affected the GP23s more adversely.
Marc Marquez, despite the setback, maintains a pragmatic outlook. “There is no point in thinking too much about it; you just have to adapt,” he commented, emphasizing his focus on adapting and moving forward. However, not all riders share his optimism, and their discomfort with the changes could significantly influence their performance in the final races of the season.
As the MotoGP season concludes, the spotlight remains on Ducati’s ability to manage the technical challenges and rider dissatisfaction arising from their recent engine adjustments. With the GP23s lagging and riders forced to adapt on the fly, the battle for the remaining races will be as much about handling these internal struggles as it is about securing points on the track.