Francesco Bagnaia rolled the dice at the MotoGP in Germany on Friday by reintroducing the Ducati chassis, which was first trialed in last year’s Misano test.
Ducati Lenovo riders have sacrificed time attack preparations to complete consecutive runs and collect comparison data. It also meant there was a great risk of missing the top 10 locations for direct qualification 2 access.
However, Bagnaia is able to secure the ninth in the timesheet and despite choosing to place both bikes in his standard chassis on Saturday, he feels the alternative design will be advantageous in other circuits.
“It was important to try something different.” Sky Italia Please report that Bagnaia is saying it. “By actually testing the frame, we accepted the risk of being outside the top 10 in Q2.
Bagnaia liked the chassis with the GP24 in Misano tests last year, but the new development was subsequently suspended to avoid affecting the title fight with Jorge Martin of Pramac Ducati Rider.
Before Sachsenring, the Double World Champion had only time to try again this year in the Sepang test.
The chassis provided an encouragemental rear grip on Friday, but the trade-off took place in the form of front-end movement, particularly under braking. A problem that Bagnaia has struggled with all year round.
“I like it, it gives a lot of grip, it helps with the bike turn, but it tends to move the front a lot. On a truck like this, it’s not the best,” he said.
“But in the future we definitely give it another go because I think it’s a chassis with great potential on a truck with more grip.”
Predicting rain for qualifying and sprints, Bagnaia confirmed that both of his bikes will return to standard chassis from Saturday.
Bagnaia will start with 58 points for Alex Marquez and 126 points for 126 Ducati teammate Marc Marquez.
“Scary” Telemetry from Giannantonio
Bagnaia was focusing on his testing program, but I couldn’t help but be impressed with the fierce pace of VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio, who shattered Sachsenring’s rap records while shattering Marc Marquez.
“Diggia was always strong and able to set a great time here. He was able to follow Marc today,” Bagnaia said.
“Who will teach you how to go faster in Saxenring than he?
“I saw telemetry and it was scary and very good.
“It’s always difficult to follow Mark because we start at different points and in any case, I don’t think it’s easy to be attracted to.
“In general, I don’t like to follow others. I look at his telemetry and know where he makes a difference (here), I try to do the same.”
The injured Alex Marquez was second fastest on Friday, with Mark pushing him down to third place during the time attack, but he was the strongest on used tires.