«Ducati 2023, more speed with the same delivery»- Corriere.it

He smiles I’m sorry Bagnaia at the end of the first test session of 2023. After three days of testing on the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, the world champion promoted the new Ducati with which he set the second fastest time, behind Luca Marini (Team Mooney VR46) riding last year’s Ducati. Worried after the first two days (We were struggling a bit), the Turin rider found the right balance on Sunday: We did a lot of tests and finding the solution before the rain arrived was fantastic, he told Sky. With a serene face, an eloquent smile, Bagnaia appreciated the innovations brought by Ducati: I want to concentrate on the 2023 bike. We have come to have more speed, but with the same delivery, he finally commented. His new teammate is also partially satisfied Aeneas Bastianini (4th time for him), who is taking measurements on the factory bike: I have to understand it better, the new bike is not easy, I tried to change my riding style and in the end, lapping on the times of the old bike was a good thing. The rider from Romagna appreciated the handling of the new Desmosedici in the wet – the Malaysian climate didn’t spare the dreaded downpours -, he got to know the technical team that follows him and exchanged his impressions of him with Bagnaia. I spoke with Pecco, we agreed, and on the last day of testing I managed to be fast both in terms of pure performance and race pace.

Seven Ducatis in the top ten confirm the good start of the bikes from Bologna. Alone Open it with Vinalesthird, and Aleix Espargar, sixth, can be said to be quite satisfied with the debut of the 2023 RS-GP. The bike from Noale worked a lot on aerodynamics and the top speed encountered (337 km/h) is a good indication of the progress noted, especially by Vinales: I found that which I expected, a step forward towards my driving style. Acceleration, significantly improved throttle response. There are still a couple of areas to work on, but I really appreciate the work the engineers have done over the winter. All the manufacturers worked hard, especially the Japanese who had a lot to make up for against Ducati. The results seen in this first outing, however, still don’t repay the expectations of their drivers. Quartararo he struggled in the wet and especially with the new tyres, a worrying aspect considering qualifying, when everything is played out in just a few laps. The new engine is more powerful, the top speed has increased, but times are slow with new tyres. It’s a shame, because we’re in good shape in terms of race pace. The nineteenth time certifies the concerns of the French driver, followed by his teammate Morbidelliseparated by 43 thousandths.

Neither Marc Marquez he can be said to be completely satisfied with Honda’s progress which has brought him no less than three new bikes to test. In the end, the Spaniard concentrated on an evolution more similar to the one he rode in the Valencia tests last November (we are faster, but the others have improved too), but the tenth time seven tenths behind Marini, a wake-up call for the technical team commanded by Ken Kawauchi, which came from Suzuki. Of less concern is the physical condition of the Spaniard who underwent surgery on his right arm for the fourth time last June. It’s getting better, but at the end of the three days his arm was a little tired – Marquez explained -, but the goal is to get in shape at the end of March for the start of the championship.