In the fierce world of MotoGP, every turn can change a season. Jorge Lorenzo, a three-time world champion, observes with remarkable acuity the first tests of the 2023 season in Malaysia. While his new role with KTM involves him in an ambitious project with Maverick Viñales, he cannot help but highlight Ducati’s emerging dominance on the track.
Ducati, a Step Above
The Majorcan, who has made his mark at Yamaha and Ducati, does not hold back when it comes to evaluating the performance of the machines. According to him, Ducati is already positioning itself as the undisputed leader, surpassing its competitors despite notable progress observed in other brands. “Ducati and Aprilia are more or less on the same level. We [KTM] are a bit behind but we are catching up. And then, Honda has made significant progress. These four bikes are very similar,” he stated to the official MotoGP website.
However, Lorenzo does not hesitate to specify that the Desmosedici displays a formidable potential. “Unfortunately, Ducati seems to have clearly taken a step forward, a big step forward,” he observed, highlighting the impressive fluidity of the machine in the corners. “It is very fluid in the corners, very electric, especially on corner exit.”
Fluidity, the Secret to Performance
What Lorenzo notices above all is Ducati’s ability to maintain exceptional fluidity even under heavy acceleration. “They maintain this fluidity for a very long time,” he explains. In comparison, he finds that the other bikes seem more nervous, particularly his own KTM, which still needs to work on this crucial point.
It must be said that Ducati has doubled down this season, developing a sophisticated pitch correction system that allows the bike to optimize its traction. “From what I’ve seen, they have improved the rear holeshot. At the start, but also at the corner exits, it seems really very low,” Lorenzo confirms. This setup undoubtedly helps improve acceleration and avoid wheelies, a true technical feat.
He does not hesitate to make a bold parallel by mentioning the large wings of the Ducati, almost inspired by F1: “We also saw very large wings at the front of the bike, almost like on a Formula 1! And it is clear that this downforce helps a lot to keep the bike very stable under acceleration.”
Maverick Vinales (Red Bull KTM Tech3)
KTM and Viñales’ Ambitions
Lorenzo does not forget to mention his former teammate, Maverick Viñales, whom he hopes will shine with KTM. “I think Ducati hardly improved last year, so they continued to work for this year,” he added. However, KTM still has a long way to go to compete with the championship heavyweights.
“After all, it’s just one circuit and maybe on another, Aprilia and we will get closer,” he warns, emphasizing that each circuit has its specificities and that the race for improvement is ongoing. That said, the strength displayed by Ducati during the tests suggests a particularly competitive season ahead.
Yamaha Lagging Behind
And what about Yamaha? As a former rider for the brand, Lorenzo cannot help but feel a certain sadness at the difficulties faced by the Iwata manufacturer. Currently undergoing a revolution with the shift from an inline four-cylinder to a V4, Yamaha seems to be struggling to adapt. “Yamaha is clearly a step behind for the moment and they have even broken engines, which is not great,” he notes.
Álex Rins (Yamaha Factory Racing)
Lorenzo also emphasizes that the situation is even more concerning as Yamaha finds itself lagging in terms of speed on the track: “Even from a speed standpoint, Yamaha is the only one that is two, three, or four tenths slower.”
The switch to the V4 represents a radical change for Yamaha, and Lorenzo explains that this requires an adjustment period: “It’s a completely different engine, a completely different philosophy, and it’s a whole new bike.” The challenges are numerous, and engine failures as well as a lack of power complicate matters even further.
Honda: Progress to Temper
Regarding Honda, Lorenzo mentions notable progress after a difficult season. Although some riders, like Aleix Espargaró, claim that the current bike is probably the best they have ever ridden, Lorenzo tempers these praises. “After all, they tried a sprint simulation, and they certainly were not as competitive as Ducati,” he notes.
He emphasizes that while Honda continues to advance, it still needs to bridge the gap that separates it from Ducati: “I believe that for now, the Ducati is an easier bike to ride to maintain that speed for longer.”
In summary, Jorge Lorenzo’s analysis highlights a season that promises to be exciting and full of twists. With Ducati taking the lead and other brands desperately trying to catch up, each race will be a true test of strength and ingenuity. MotoGP is more than ready to deliver its share of thrills.
