The technical development of the prototypes in MotoGP progresses by leaps and bounds, due, in particular, to the introduction of aerodynamic elements that have been responsible for marking a before and after in two-wheel competition.
The technical improvement in the premier category of motorcycling offers as a result – in the short and medium term – ever faster lap times and ever higher top speeds. Proof of this, since the beginning of the championship, the ten highest speeds ever measured come from the years 2021 and 2022.
MotoGP has set a new top speed record at four circuits so far this season. In Termas de Río Hondo, the Ducati rider, Pecco Bagnaia, posted a top speed of 345.5 km/h. At Le Mans, Alex Márquez put his Honda at 323.7 km/h.
However, the current record is held by the Pramac driver, Jorge Martín, with a speed of 363.6 km/h set this year at the Italian event in Mugello.
An unknown question arises around this matter: in MotoGP, does the passage from 320 to 360 km/h still make a difference?
“I think that above 300 km/h, everything is fast”, discards Miguel Oliveira “As we go so fast, you see that everything flies by very quickly and you practically put the bike in a place where you see that you have [enough] space to stop,” he assessed.
Jack Miller, for his part, agrees with the Portuguese: “Honestly, coming out of the last corner at Mugello is like coming out of a straight. The main focus is solely on the area where you brake.”
While the increase in top speed in MotoGP prototypes is significant, the impact on the environment is considerable. The faster the competition gets, the more space must be created on the race tracks.
This, consequently, has been one more problem to take into account in the two-wheel championship roadmap. “The drivers are demanding that they listen to us, because there are some areas of the track that need adjustments, for example at Mugello,” Miller said.
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