MotoGP: What did we learn from the Qatar test?

The final day of pre-season testing has finished but what have we learned from two days in Qatar?

Ducati

Ducati has looked incredibly strong in testing, topping the time sheets in all preseason tests bar Valencia. Once again, all eyes are on Francesco Bagnaia who enters the season on track in his testing program. His teammate at the Ducati Lenovo Team, Enea Bastianini was back on form, topping the second day in Qatar.

Ducati chose their engine specification early in the Sepang test and spent their time in Qatar evaluating parts back-to-back. Different fairings and exhausts were tested with the factory riders finding improvement immediately on the 2024 spec machines.

Prima Pramac Ducati only had one official rider on track with Jorge Martin continuing to look strong but struggled with chatter on the front end. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Ducati) continues to recover after a crash at a private test in Portimao – knocking the Italian unconscious. This left Ducati’s official test rider to take his place with Michelle Pirro taking part in every day of testing – including the Sepang Shakedown.

Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) had his first crash in Qatar and continued to try and feel comfortable with the GP23 machine. Marquez joins his brother at Gresini Racing this year, replacing Fabio Di Giannantonio who is working well with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.

KTM and GASGAS

KTM has had an encouraging preseason test, bringing two new engine specifications to Qatar. There was also a range of aero parts that was used back-to-back across the test with mixed feedback from the riders. This resulted in a range of 2023 and 2024 parts on the back at the same time.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the quickest KTM in Qatar, finishing fourth on day one and ninth on day two. His teammate, Jack Miller had a crash in both days of testing but still managed to put in a fast lap in 11^th.

All headlines however have been on MotoGP rookie and Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 rider, Pedro Acosta. The Spanish sensation was 15^th at the end of both days of testing, ahead of his teammate Augusto Fernandez.

Aprilia

Throughout winter testing, Aprilia has had many ups and downs in Sepang and Qatar on both sides of the pit box. Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro instantly enjoyed the new RS-GP machine. The same could not be said for Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) who struggled with feeling.

There was a new diffuser on the back of the new 2024 tail unit which Vinales tested and reverted to the 2023 tail unit. Aprilia did not bring a new engine to the Qatar test and aims to bring it to the first round.

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) was back on a MotoGP bike in Qatar for the first time since injuring himself at the Sepang test. Fernandez is still using the 2023 spec machine but is expected to have a 2024 bike later in the year.

Yamaha

Yamaha brought many new parts to Qatar including a new exhaust which is much larger in length and diameter. This exhaust was used throughout the majority of the test to smooth the bike’s power delivery.

Both Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins complained about the lack of one lap pace. The Yamaha machine looks to be struggling with its traction on the exit of the corner.

Speaking about the 2024 M1, Quartararo said: “We didn’t make much progress, but the track conditions were better today. I was riding behind a rival, and I got some great information for us from that as well. We have a margin for improvement, but we need to find more grip and lessen the tyre degradation.

“I think we need more time and more tests to see the full potential of our bike. But I believe a lot in this project. I feel that Yamaha is doing their best. I’m not thinking too much about the future – I am focusing on improving our bikes.”

Honda

Throughout the past four years, Honda has been one of the biggest talking points in MotoGP, for good and for bad. 2024 has been no different with a range of parts and improvements made in the last year.

It was a tough two days for both Repsol Honda riders with Luca Marini and Joan Mir falling ill during the two days. However, this did not stop testing with a new swingarm brought to Qatar – developed by HRC and used on all four bikes. However, there was a new aero which was requested by Luca Marini.

The quickest Honda was LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco who was ninth on day one and 17^th on day two. In Sepang, Honda riders complained of a lack of race pace which seems to be a recurring problem in Qatar.

The next time MotoGP bikes will be out on track will be in Qatar for the opening round of the season. Round one will take place on the 8-10 of March at the Lusail International Circuit with a new exciting season in-store.