Modern competition, as we know it now, has drawn from its golden years in the past to bring fans the best battles on asphalt.
The battle for the podium between Marc Márquez, Aleix Espargaró and Jack Miller during the Spanish Grand Prix was responsible for bringing about a reflection on how overtaking has evolved until reaching MotoGP in 2022.
The current world champion was in charge of introducing the first differences. “If we talk about the starts in the last three years, we have to remember that we used to press a button to start the prototype, but now you have to do many different things.
“Of course you gain a little more time with the advances, but everything is much more complicated. In the end it is the same for everyone. But I would say that it has become more difficult to overtake in general,” said the Frenchman, something with which It didn’t take long for Aleix Espargaró to agree.
At the press conference in Jerez, the Spaniard added: “With all the aerodynamics and the wings, it is also more difficult to brake the bike correctly when you are behind another rival. Not only because of the aerodynamics but also because of the level of the category, as every driver really brakes to the limit.”
“The tracks we race on are big enough to overtake cleanly, if you will. So yeah, it’s a bit more difficult, but I think this sport is still fantastic and the battles are good.”
The top speed advantage of MotoGP in 2022
Ducati rider Jack Miller also agreed with this statement. “The bikes are very competitive now,” he admitted. “For this reason, it is really difficult to overtake, especially at a circuit like Portimao. The same applies to Argentina and Texas, as it is generally not easy to overtake.”
“So if you make a mistake or lose some positions, it can have a big impact on the outcome of the race, because it’s not like it used to be that you can get those positions back, especially for us Ducati riders. Because the race advantage maximum speed no longer exists”.
VR46 driver Luca Marini also notes: “When you have an advantage on the straights, it’s easier to overtake. Even if you start further back, you can overtake a driver on any straight. But now it’s really difficult.”
“Everyone has a very high top speed and good grip when accelerating. Everyone complains about grip, but everyone has grip. It’s a difficult time in MotoGP,” says the Italian.
In this situation, the introduction of the holeshot on the championship grid played an essential role, although not as critical in overtaking.
“If you erased the device from all the prototypes, it would be the same,” Marini believes. “Everyone is using it at the moment. I wouldn’t change much because all the bikes are so fast.”
Bagnaia also confirms that “it is more difficult with the same material”.
“But if you are quicker than others, you come out of the corners quicker and you are in a better position, you can also overtake. So for me the situation has not really changed,” the Italian summed up.
