Ducati's new fairing creates disparity of opinions among riders

June 6, 2022

The MotoGP regulations allow an update during the season of the aerodynamic package, basically a new fairing that, once used for a weekend, is homologated and can no longer vary, with the riders being able, yes, to use the new or the old indistinctly.

During the Barcelona test, Ducati wore a new complete fairing that was tested by some of the brand’s riders.

“I tried several things and the most important was the fairing,” explained Pecco Bagnaia at the end of the day.

“It worked pretty well. I’m pretty happy with it, but this version was just for testing. I don’t know if we will use it this year. It can help maneuverability, but it also gives some top speed. It can help,” he added.

“This year I prefer more handling and less top speed. That is the most important. Yamaha is the perfect example of that, they are not as fast, but they can handle the bike better. I am happy with the laps we have done with the used tyres. Everything we’ve tried has potential. I’m happy with that,” he said.

Jack Miller, who will not race for Ducati next season and was affected by a tire that was destroyed on Sunday, was less benevolent.

“I have no problem hiding behind the other fairing, but the arms get a lot of wind. The bike handles better when you get less wind. With the big fairing, which is between this year and last year, we have less wind. Something is sacrificed in the corners. It has negative and positive points, “he said without contributing much.

The one who was also able to test the piece was the Gresini rider, Enea Bastianini, who, unlike Pecco and Jack, rides a 2021 bike that therefore has a fairly old fairing.

“I have tried a new front fork setup. The center of the corner gives more speed and that is important, yesterday in the race we had problems with that to maintain speed. I have noticed the grip. I also tried a new fairing, which was pretty good. It helps us get into the corners. It’s been a positive day.”

Enea tested fairing 1 of 2022 in Jerez, but did not want to homologate it while waiting for 2 of 2022, which tested it this Monday, but could not compare both.

“No, I’ve driven here with the new version, the new, new version. It’s been good. I haven’t compared it to the other one yet, but the corner entry is better. In the fast corners it’s easier to get to the apex.”

As to whether it is going to homologate that part immediately, I had doubts.

“I don’t know yet, but hopefully after the summer. We don’t know yet. For Silverstone, it’s a good solution.”

“With many changes it can help, but also the speed is not far from the current one. My speed is good, but it can be a little better, said Enea, the happiest with the new part.

Francesco Bagnaia, Equipo Ducati