Jorge Martin’s imperious French Grand Prix weekend got here as a call on who will get the second manufacturing unit Ducati group MotoGP seat looms. The Pramac rider can do no extra to show himself at this price, having taken pole with a lap document, gained the dash and emerged victorious in a neatly ridden, nailbiting grand prix at Le Mans. Already feeling like he’s completed all he can, Martin’s French GP show will solely assist his trigger – if Ducati hasn’t already made its determination.
And it’s a powerful one, with Marc Marquez coming from thirteenth to complete second – twice – on the Le Mans weekend. The eight-time world champion’s adaptation course of to the year-old Ducati is full, he claimed at Le Mans, although an absence of familiarity between group and rider did set them again on Friday with a misstep in set-up. Lesson realized, Marquez once more proved that all the things is coming collectively for him and a return to the highest step of the rostrum is simply a matter of time.
Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia endured a blended weekend, as bike woes within the dash led to a 3rd DNF of the yr. Within the grand prix, he may not more than third having led for a lot of the 27 laps. He’s now 38 factors down within the championship however his Spanish GP heroics final month ought to cease any doubters from rearing their heads.
Elsewhere, Le Mans broke the attendance document for MotoGP for a second yr in a row, doing so inside a 2024 season through which the collection is really again to its finest after a couple of troublesome years.
Issues ought to solely enhance additional as full particulars of the 2027 technical laws overhaul have been revealed pre-French GP.
Listed below are 10 issues we realized from the 2024 French GP.
1. Le Mans win confirmed true intelligence of Martin
Martin celebrates his French GP win
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
After crashing out of the lead of the Spanish GP, Martin threw away an opportunity to go 47 factors clear within the standings coming to the French GP.
Late final yr as he pushed for a primary MotoGP championship, errors got here at essential factors for the Pramac rider. Final weekend’s French GP was the time to indicate he had actually realized from this.
From the off Martin was quick and shocked in qualifying with the one sub-1m30s lap ever at Le Mans. His dash win seemed easy, nevertheless it was his show within the 27-lap grand prix that deserves reward as being arguably the perfect journey of his profession. Shedding the lead off the road, Martin was content material to sit down behind Francesco Bagnaia for 19 laps. He had the tempo to go him at any time when he wished, however he felt staying put was a greater guess to see how the race developed.
The time got here on lap 20 for his break, which he failed at on the primary try. He succeeded subsequent time round on the Dunlop chicane, and although an error on the identical place on lap 25 virtually uncovered him to being repassed, he shortly re-established himself.
Bagnaia was fast by way of the primary two sectors of the monitor however Martin was higher within the essential third and fourth splits, making certain his manufacturing unit Ducati counterpart couldn’t take into consideration a late retaliation. A second grand prix win of the season so as to add to his three dash victories has put him 38 factors clear within the championship.
For a rider comfortable to level out how fast he’s in the meanwhile, Martin was surprisingly candid as to why he celebrated the best way he did afterwards (which included smashing his fist by way of his Ducati’s display).
“I do know I am sturdy however generally I’ve too many doubts. Perhaps I do not understand how good I’m,” he stated. “After I crossed the end line I used to be like, ‘who’s the primary? who’s the primary?’”
Unquestionably, proper now, Jorge Martin is primary.
2. Key errors stay for Bagnaia
Bagnaia’s crash on the finish of Q2 had penalties for the dash race
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
Francesco Bagnaia proved plenty of doubters unsuitable after the Spanish GP, however there may be some justification to be essential of the reigning double world champion’s season to this point. A unnecessary error within the Portugal dash denied him a assured win, whereas a lacklustre American outing did nothing to assist.
Whereas his dash retirement at Le Mans was all the way down to a “harmful” challenge on his second bike, the rationale he was using it within the first place was as a result of a pricey crash on the finish of Q2 whereas he was threatening to beat Martin’s lap document time.
Whereas crashes can occur when on the sting, as Martin proved in Q2 additionally, the ramifications of it have been appreciable for Bagnaia. Pointless within the dash, he crucially misplaced monitor time that might finally have proved useful to him within the grand prix. Wonderful for the primary 19 laps, as soon as Martin was by way of struggles for tempo within the third sector meant mounting one other overtake try was inconceivable. To rub salt within the wounds, this additionally allowed Marc Marquez to carve by way of into second on the final lap.
Bagnaia is aware of higher than anybody how lengthy a season will be and he was nonetheless capable of win the final two titles after quite a few early-campaign errors. However with Martin at a 26-point-per-round tempo (considering dash and GP outcomes beneath the brand new format) and Bagnaia solely on an 18-point common, he might effectively discover turning the tide a lot more durable than earlier than.
3. Marquez is getting stronger as extra Gresini classes realized
Marquez twice got here from thirteenth on the grid to take podiums at Le Mans
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
Marc Marquez declared on the Spanish GP that his adaptation to the Ducati GP23 had completed and he was now trying to convey the bike as near his using type as doable. This does imply that there are gaps in information nonetheless, because the Le Mans spherical confirmed. Gresini tried a set-up course for each of its riders on Friday that finally didn’t work and left Marquez out of the direct Q2 locations.
A scary near-miss late in Q1 coupled with some yellow flag disruption meant he did not exit the session and was left thirteenth on the grid. Studying from their Friday error, the bike Marquez had beneath him for the dash was rather more aggressive and he rose to second.
Doing the identical in a grand prix he “cooked slowly”, Marquez got here simply 0.446s away from a primary win on the bike. His tempo at factors was higher than that of Martin and Bagnaia as he carved by way of the sector, resulting in a fairly large ‘what if?’ with reference to qualifying going in another way.
What’s extra is that he felt “not satisfied” he may battle for the win when he did get onto the rear of Martin and Bagnaia on lap 21, however nonetheless dug deep to be ready to grab second with a reasonably late transfer on the brakes into Flip 9.
Now with back-to-back GP podiums and three dash rostrums in 5 rounds, he’s third within the standings and solely 40 factors behind Martin as he clearly will get stronger.
4. Ducati’s 2025 determination is getting more durable
The race for a Ducati manufacturing unit seat appears to be like to be a duel between Marquez and Martin
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
Coming into the French GP weekend, Ducati had already outlined a deadline of the Italian GP on the finish of this month for when it would make its determination on Bagnaia’s team-mate for 2025.
Greater than possible, there’s nothing else Enea Bastianini – who was fourth at Le Mans – can do to carry onto his seat at this stage, with it virtually sure that both Jorge Martin or Marc Marquez will exchange him.
Earlier within the Le Mans weekend, Ducati basic supervisor Gigi Dall’Igna stated the riders into consideration would have their histories taken into consideration – not simply what has occurred in 2024.
That might put the ball firmly in Marquez’s courtroom, given his six world titles and type that’s shortly returning on that GP23. However Martin is one in all MotoGP’s finest proper now and his French GP solely served to strengthen his claims.
Marquez merely desires a manufacturing unit bike, Martin desires to be in a manufacturing unit group on a manufacturing unit bike. Can Ducati actually threat letting Martin stroll away, even when the trade-off is the perfect rider of the final decade in Marquez? That’s to not then take into consideration what group companions would possibly need. Martin stated over the weekend that he would perceive if Ducati selected Marquez over him as a result of he’s a ‘advertising and marketing beast’.
As Dall’Igna famous on the finish of the Le Mans weekend to motogp.com: “For certain [my decision is] harder, however that is my job and I’ve to pick out the absolute best rider for our manufacturing unit group and likewise the absolute best riders for the opposite Ducati groups. So, I’ve one thing to consider this subsequent week.”
5. Acosta suffers first bitter tablet of MotoGP rookie season
Acosta has been a sensation this yr however suffered a testing weekend in France
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
Pedro Acosta’s debut season in MotoGP with the Tech3 GasGas group has been nothing in need of unbelievable and there may be little doubting that he’s the way forward for the premier class. Studying each time he hits the monitor, Acosta has for essentially the most half been spared the more durable classes. Save for a pricey Q2 crash and larger off in warm-up at Jerez, Acosta has prevented main errors.
Working strongly within the early levels of the French GP, Acosta seemed like he can be an element within the podium battle. However he crashed out at Flip 8 attempting to keep away from a giant collision with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Aleix Espargaro forward of him.
After plummeting down the order in his first race in Qatar, Acosta stated he “should be comfortable to make errors”. Private expectations have clearly shifted, although, as he reduce a dejected determine in his media debrief as he felt the French GP posed the primary day in his MotoGP profession “for one thing large”.
6. Hope for Yamaha regardless of Quartararo’s house heartbreak
Quartararo might have ended within the gravel, however there have been indicators for optimism for Yamaha
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
A document French GP crowd most likely wasn’t anticipating a lot from 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo as Yamaha’s rebuilding yr continues. However that didn’t cease them throwing their help behind him and he did them proud.
Getting straight into Q2 after Friday observe, Quartararo was operating inside the highest six within the early levels of the grand prix and was on for at the very least a high eight when he crashed out at Flip 9 with 10 laps to go. It was a crash he stated that was all the way down to being “utterly on the restrict from lap one” of the M1, however he was however “comfortable” with the psychological increase combating on the sharp finish gave him.
That efficiency was encouraging for the long run, too, as Yamaha turned the M1 the other way up on Sunday morning with a set-up that improved entry grip barely. Although he nonetheless wants to check it at Mugello later this week for affirmation, he believes this may type his base set-up any further.
“This morning we made a large change on the bike that the group anticipated for me to say ‘it’s utterly completely different’ or ‘unhealthy’ or one thing – they anticipated me to really feel a giant distinction, however I felt a small distinction in a greater means,” he stated on Sunday. “So we raced with this bike. For me it appears to be like prefer it’s going to be our new base. And after tomorrow we may have two days of take a look at in Mugello, so we may have additionally the possibility to check in completely completely different tracks. However at present I believe I used to be using actually, very well and hopefully we will keep it up.”
7. Honda outlook stays bleak
Marini’s pointless streak continued, as did Honda’s struggles
Photograph by: Marc Fleury
Honda additionally has a non-public take a look at at Mugello this week the place it would put the brand new idea examined at Jerez a couple of weeks in the past by way of its paces once more. And it actually wants to begin making large headway with that.
The French GP was one other bleak affair for the HRC contingent. Johann Zarco emerged as the perfect of the bunch in twelfth on his LCR-run Honda, the Frenchman usually extracting essentially the most from that bike this season. However he was nonetheless 26.8s off the win.
Takaaki Nakagami was 14th, 30s off the win, whereas Luca Marini’s pointless run continued in sixteenth – 40s again from Jorge Martin. Joan Mir crashed whereas operating within the factors and felt a step ahead had been made with the set-up of the bike.
Each Zarco and Marini praised Mir for his capacity to seek out extra tempo with the Honda because the weekend goes on and get to an affordable stage (by that underwhelming bundle’s requirements). For Marini, he was at a loss to clarify why he can have a sure stage of tempo in observe and never construct on that because the race weekend progresses.
8. 2024 title battle already appears to be like set
The highest three in Le Mans look set to battle it out for the title
Photograph by: Marc Fleury
The begin to the 2024 season has been field workplace, with the collection simply having fun with a few of its finest races and most intriguing storylines for a very good few years.
And the final fortnight appears to be like to have carved out simply how the championship battle will play out throughout the remainder of the yr. Although Martin crashed out of the Spanish GP, Bagnaia is satisfied the results of the French GP would have been the identical in some order at Jerez. Certainly, Martin, Bagnaia and Marquez have been a reduce above at Le Mans and consistency-wise look like leaving the remaining behind at this early level of the marketing campaign.
“For me, in the meanwhile, we three are essentially the most full riders within the championship,” Bagnaia stated. “Different riders are quick sufficient to have an important efficiency and are capable of win races. However I believe by way of velocity and consistency – Jorge extra – we’re essentially the most full riders and with out the crash of Jorge at Jerez, [the Spanish GP top three] was the identical outcome I believe, the identical guys combating [as today]. So, I believe for the championship it will likely be roughly like this.”
That may be a very salivating prospect certainly.
9. 2027 laws get riders’ nod of approval
The MotoGP laws are set for an overhaul, as revealed earlier than the French GP
Photograph by: Marc Fleury
Forward of the French GP, MotoGP unveiled the total framework for its 2027 technical regulation overhaul. The largest change coming is the transfer to 850cc engines, with aerodynamics being stripped again and journey top gadgets being utterly banned.
The goal is for the bikes to be made a bit bit safer, which in flip retains the present roster of tracks much less harmful, whereas street relevance, environmental effectivity, price management and improved spectacle are all anticipated outcomes of the principles.
A press convention was held at Le Mans that includes representatives from Dorna, the FIM and the groups’ affiliation. Among the many dialogue factors there have been the reassurance that World Superbike rule tweaks have been incoming to take care of bike racing’s present hierarchy, whereas new producers are anticipated to have an interest within the new regs.
The riders have been usually very constructive in regards to the adjustments as they agree it should be completed for the betterment of the present. Some, like Marc Marquez and Joan Mir, highlighted that the 2027 bikes will convey extra management again to the riders and can permit them to make extra of a distinction.
There have been some grumbles. A number of really feel the aero cutbacks don’t go far sufficient, whereas KTM’s Jack Miller isn’t eager on the brand new guidelines round GPS knowledge sharing between groups (which can also be meant to profit TV viewers) as squads ought to be capable of work out their issues for themselves.
10. Liberty should utilise Claude Michy to spice up different races
The gang was out in power at Le Mans
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
Simply as Le Mans breaking MotoGP attendance information is changing into a yearly prevalence now, so is Motorsport.com’s praising of French GP promoter Claude Michy. And it’s for good cause.
After the embarrassing false begin on the Spanish GP, through which Dorna miscounted the group determine there by 100,000, the 2024 French GP did set a brand new all-time attendance document. A complete of 297,471 tickets have been bought for the 10-12 Could weekend, exceeding final yr’s document set at Le Mans of 278,805. Already from Wednesday, the campsites have been buzzing with life (and engines being revved to demise).
All the time one of many best-attended occasions, Michy’s method of cost-effective tickets that embody tenting entry and a family-focused method, is a successful blueprint. As Liberty Media will get set to take over the reins on the finish of the yr and work out tips on how to expose MotoGP to extra individuals, it may do quite a bit worse than rent Michy as a guide to assist promoters increase attendance in any respect occasions on the calendar.
MotoGP leaves Le Mans with a tantalising title battle in prospect
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
