The Borgo Panigale marque additionally kicked off pre-season testing for 2024 on the entrance foot, with two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia main a high 4 lockout for the Desmosedici.
Ducati’s assault in 2024 has been strengthened by the arrival of Marc Marquez from Honda, and the Spaniard has already been exhibiting promising tempo on the year-old GP23.
With the brand new GP24 a step ahead to the already-rapid 2023 bike, and Marquez probably threatening for the title regardless of having older equipment, there have been renewed considerations about Ducati having too robust a foothold in MotoGP.
However manufacturing unit rider Bastianini feels it’s too quickly to attract any conclusions in regards to the 2024 kind information but, at the same time as he feels the Italian marque has a extra aggressive bike at its disposal.
“At one lap within the dry we appear to have been very efficient, however in race tempo even the GP23s are shut,” he mentioned.
“Nevertheless, we all know that the Ducati at all times makes the distinction relating to time assault, so we can even must see how the others carry out.
“It is nonetheless too early to say will probably be a Ducati-only championship, however we have definitely taken a small step with the brand new bike, and in Qatar we’ll nonetheless have one thing to show, even when the brand new aerodynamics are authorized.”
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Group, Enea Bastianini, Ducati Group
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
Bastianini completed third quickest throughout three days of testing at Sepang, together with his performances prompting Ducati’s crew supervisor Davide Tardozzi to say the Italian has rediscovered his 2022 kind.
The 26-year-old discovered it laborious to adapt to the GP23 final yr on his step as much as the manufacturing unit crew, however is already gelling effectively with the 2024 bike, notably praising its up to date engine.
“It is a bit completely different, and I prefer it higher than the one on the GP23, as a result of it is extra much like the one on the 2021 bike,” he defined. “I am pleased with this bike, however we will nonetheless work on the engine braking to make a step ahead.
“Clearly I got here right here hoping to substantiate the emotions I had had in Valencia, and the affirmation has come. It’s clear that we have now to attend to go to different circuits, however the bike works and I really feel good with the crew, so issues are simpler than final yr.”
One other two-day check is scheduled on the Losail Worldwide Circuit on 19-20 February, earlier than the season will get underway on the similar venue in Qatar on 10 March.
Requested if Ducati can replicate the shape it loved in Malaysia in different venues, Bastianini mentioned: “I believe so, as a result of though the distinction with the GP23 isn’t too huge, in the long run the efficiency is best in virtually each nook.
“However above all it is the sensation on the bike that’s higher than with the GP23, though it is one thing very subjective, as a result of for instance for those who ask Jorge Martin he does not prefer it, however the different Ducati riders really feel good.
“It relies upon quite a bit on the using fashion.”
Ducati received 17 of the 20 grands prix final yr, with its riders additionally monopolising the highest three spots within the championship.
