The final two days of testing at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve will be crucial for the MotoGP teams as they prepare for the first MotoGP of the 2023 season.
The Ducati Lenovo Team is likely to be the clear favourite for the 2023 MotoGP season.
In 2022 the Desmocedici was the best machine in the track and that seems to be even more evident in 2023.
The reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia appears to be almost prepared to begin the season, but he is mindful that there are still crucial decisions to be made.
Unlike 2022, when it was a somewhat messy pre-season for Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team was riding a different engine type than the other GP22 riders: Jorge Martin, Johann Zarco and Luca Marini.
In Sepang, Ducati has not yet released a major update in terms of aerodynamics, mainly so as not to show the competition the back of the tongue, but it is expected that this will be tested in Portimao.
“We are now very close to the first race of the season, so this test will be crucial. In Sepang we did a good job and brought the new bike to the same level as last year.” Bagnaia said.
“We’re almost at 100% and I’m sure we can finish our work here. Portimao is a completely different circuit than Sepang and that also applies to the weather conditions.
“So it will be crucial to try the different aero fairings tested in Malaysia again so that we have more data to analyse before making a final decision.
“We will also have to work on the race weekend, especially the sprint race. It will be two intense days, but I am ready and looking forward to getting back to work.” Bagnaia added.
Just like the engine block, the choice of an aerodynamic package is fixed for the entire season, but one update may be made for the aerodynamics during the year.
