Editorial Observe: The official All-Time MotoGP Lap File at Sepang was a 1:57.491 set by Francesco Bagnaia in 2023.
Extra, from a press launch issued by Dorna.
#SepangTest: Bastianini hits again to go Martin & Binder on Day 2
The laptimes tumble on Wednesday because the 1:57 membership expands and the ‘Beast’ takes to the highest
Wednesday, 07 February 2024
Ducati Lenovo Group’s Enea Bastianini produced late brilliance on Day 2 of the Sepang Take a look at, claiming prime spot because of a brand new, albeit unofficial, outright lap report. 5 riders all bettered 2023 Champion Pecco Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Group) pole place lap from late final yr, with The Beast firing in a historic 1:57.134 to as soon as once more show his tempo in Malaysia.
Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin needed to accept second ultimately after main the pack for the overwhelming majority of the day. The Spaniard completed 0.139 seconds adrift of 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix winner Bastianini. KTM and Aprilia had been scorching on the heels of the Ducati duo too, with Brad Binder (Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing) finishing the highest three forward of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing).
After an under-the-radar opening day in Sepang, 2023 World Champion Bagnaia additionally joined the get together, claiming the ultimate spot inside the highest 5 with a 1:57.469, leaving him simply over three tenths behind his teammate.
Ducati Lenovo, Prima Pramac, Pertamina Enduro VR46 & Gresini
Bastianini, Martin and Bagnaia all put themselves below the lap report on Wednesday, with all three doing their laps with the Bologna manufacturing facility’s much-improved new engine. The majority of their work was targeted on aerodynamics, nevertheless, with a united consensus but to be reached. Michele Pirro was additionally again out subbing for Franco Morbidelli.
A late tumble for Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Group) couldn’t dampen what was in any other case one other constructive day for The Physician’s squad. The #72 rounded out Day 2 in ninth place, and forward of one title he had his eye on, while Fabio Di Giannantonio continued to impress. The Italian was one of many riders on prime type within the second half of 2023, and he’s carried that momentum into 2024 regardless of the crew swap.
No person did extra laps than Gresini Racing’s Marc Marquez as he regarded to make up for some misplaced time yesterday after a few small points. The eight-time World Champion clocked 72 laps in whole, 10 of which had been a powerful Tissot Dash simulation alongside his teammate. The #93 was simply over 2 seconds faster than the Dash-winning time in 2023. However Alex Marquez on the #73 was an extra two seconds faster once more…
Crimson Bull KTM & Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3
Binder led the cost on Wednesday, however celebrity rookie Pedro Acosta (Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3) discovered yet one more step ahead, posting a 1:57.726 – a lap ok for the center of the second row of the grid in 2023. Large smiles for his facet of the field! It was a more durable day on the different facet, nevertheless, with Augusto Fernandez pissed off at his lack of progress after a few points misplaced him a while. Steps ahead, he reported, however not quick sufficient but.
On the orange facet, Jack Miller joined Binder in working their means via KTM’s varied aerodynamic upgrades. The Australian completed fifteenth as the 2 take up the workload first refined by take a look at riders Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro within the Shakedown.
Aprilia & Trackhouse Racing
There have been some contrasting feelings within the manufacturing facility Aprilia field with Aleix Espargaro taking that spectacular fourth, while Maverick Viñales was scuffling with rear grip and, consequently, didn’t push for a time assault. However he reported the intention, regardless, is to be quick all yr, not only one lap. The Spaniard was 18th right this moment, one place and one tenth forward of a equally pissed off Miguel Oliveira. Trackhouse Racing’s Oliveira, nonetheless, stated Espargaro’s quick lap was good to see for the entire squad as every work on their very own programmes.
The trio additionally lapped collectively within the noon solar, ostensibly to take a look at the impact of the slipstream and probably to place the machine via its paces within the warmth, one thing that was tough for the manufacturing facility at instances in 2023. Lorenzo Savadori, in the meantime, is the alternative for Raul Fernandez at Trackhouse for the remainder of this take a look at as Fernandez recovers from a crash on Day 1, with nothing damaged however precaution the secret.
Repsol Honda & CASTROL/IDEMITSU Honda LCR
Repsol Honda’s Luca Marini and Idemitsu LCR Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami put collectively the longest runs of anybody on Wednesday: 13 consecutive laps apiece. 10 of Marini’s laps had been within the 1:59s, in comparison with solely two 1:59s between all 4 Honda riders in final yr’s Dash and Grand Prix.
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Group) was additionally capable of put in a headline laptime, taking the ultimate spot in prime ten. The 2020 World Champion was six tenths faster than his Q1 efficiency final yr, however reiterated that numerous work continues to be to be carried out. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), in the meantime, was one other tenth and a half off Mir – however he’s been the Honda rider most praising the leap already made.
Monster Power Yamaha
Electronics was the important thing focus for Yamaha, however Fabio Quartararo was left wanting a little bit extra. The Frenchman managed to enhance on his greatest lap from final yr’s Malaysian Grand Prix however he was nonetheless three quarters of a second adrift of prime spot. He stated they’re nonetheless struggling an absence of tempo throughout time assaults, one thing they’ll proceed engaged on. The 2021 World Champion may solely handle eleventh right this moment, along with his new teammate Alex Rins 1 / 4 of a second additional again in thirteenth. However on the pace lure, there was an enormous ray of sunshine for the Iwata marque as Quartararo was the outright quickest.
That’s all she wrote on Wednesday! There’s extra motion on but to come back on Thursday from 10:00 native time (UTC+8) till 18:00, so be sure to be a part of us on motogp.com and throughout social media to get the complete lowdown because the #SepangTest concludes. Then it’s off to Qatar for one more two days of testing earlier than that first date with racing future at Lusail in March.
Extra, from a press launch issued by Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Group:
DAY2 IN MALAYSIA FOR THE PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM
The work of Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi continues at Sepang. Each below the wall of 1.58 and respectively in sixth and ninth place within the mixed standings
SEPANG (Malaysia), February seventh 2024 – One other productive day for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Group on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit the place the primary official MotoGP testing periods of the 2024 season are underway. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, driving the Ducati Fluo Stream, they’re each below the wall of 1.58 and completed in sixth and ninth place within the mixed of the Day2.
Ready of a chronometric step already within the morning, Fabio units a wonderful 1’57.619, a time that imply a niche of simply 4 tenths from the provisional P1 (Bastianini, 1’57.134). 54 laps on the eve of the final day of labor, tomorrow from 10.00 AM native time.
First ever to again to the monitor, Marco, instantly coping with the primary time assault of the season and he indicators a better of 1’57.867. For him too, round fifty laps and a crash within the closing minutes of the session at flip 7.
MARCO BEZZECCHI – 72
I’m sorry for the ending, the crash wasn’t essential. I’m proud of the work carried out, we tried various things and gathered numerous info. I’m not fully glad but, as a result of I can nonetheless make a step in driving. I’m not at 100%, however we have already got some concepts for tomorrow. In the mean time, if issues stay like this, I don’t assume we are going to do a race simulation. I desire to deal with the setup, however we don’t rule out the potential of discovering some good options tomorrow and thus altering our plan.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO – 49
I’m stunned, in a constructive means clearly. Within the morning we struggled a bit, I attempted two entrance tires and I wasn’t fully snug in driving. We had been a little bit late on the plan, however within the afternoon we tried a change that made us take an enormous step ahead additionally when it comes to high quality. We went very quick, we labored properly and we moved within the route we needed. When it comes to flying lap, perhaps we’re lacking one thing, however I’m not anxious. I’m actually proud of the tempo and tomorrow perhaps we’ll attempt a Dash Race simulation.
Extra, from a press launch issued by Monster Power Yamaha:
Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP Seek for One-Lap Velocity at Sepang Take a look at Day 2
Sepang (Malaysia), seventh February 2024
SEPANG MOTOGP OFFICIAL TEST
Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins continued their programme on the second day of testing on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit. The teammates put in quite a few laps and took eleventh and thirteenth place respectively in right this moment’s and the mixed timesheets.
eleventh F. QUARTARARO 1’57.888 / 53 LAPS
thirteenth Á. RINS 1’58.110 / 50 LAPS
Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins had been again on monitor on the Sepang MotoGP Official Take a look at for a second day of driving in Malaysia. They continued to work via numerous completely different settings, taking eleventh and thirteenth place respectively in right this moment’s and the mixed testing rankings.
Quartararo continued to point out his motivation on the Sepang Take a look at, finishing 53 laps in whole throughout which he tried varied set-ups. The Frenchman confirmed off the 2024 YZR-M1’s prime pace, clocking 338.5km/h. Nonetheless, he’s nonetheless trying to enhance his time assault outcomes. His greatest time of 1’57.888s, set on lap 7, stored him in eleventh place, 0.754s from first.
After a strong first day of testing, Rins resumed his work on electronics and bike set-up. Getting increasingly more used to the YZR-M1 over the course of fifty laps, he bettered his time by 0.606s in comparison with Day 1. His 1’58.110s, set on lap 49, had him finish Day 2 in thirteenth place with a 0.976s margin to the highest.
FABIO QUARTARARO
We’re first on prime pace right this moment, however that’s not what we aimed to be first in. The bike may be very quick, however we nonetheless have to enhance our quick lap. We’re discovering little enhancements, however nothing nice. We have now to discover a resolution, particularly on the rear grip, the place I feel we’re lacking out a little bit bit. Hopefully we are able to make a step tomorrow and within the Qatar Take a look at.
ÁLEX RINS
We’re fairly proud of the outcomes we acquired right this moment. We targeted a little bit bit extra on the electronics facet, simply attempting to enhance the issues we tried yesterday. I additionally tried some completely different swingarms, and we additionally labored on the set-up. Total, I made some kilometres on the bike, and I’m capable of perceive the M1 higher, so I can attempt to discover a higher set-up to adapt the bike to my driving fashion. The engine that Fabio examined in Valencia and that they introduced right here – however a modified model – works fairly properly. So, we are going to begin the season with this engine, for certain.
Extra, from a press launch issued by Repsol Honda:
Mir finds a second on second day of Sepang MotoGP Take a look at motion
Each Repsol Honda Group riders made enhancements as they continued to work on their 2024 machines, Joan Mir rounding out the highest ten and Luca Marini in seventeenth.
Rain as soon as once more stayed away from the Sepang Worldwide Circuit because the MotoGP grid loved an uninterrupted day of working. The Repsol Honda Group powered forward with their testing programme, each riders capable of make a step ahead of their outright pace.
Wednesday in Sepang noticed a return to constructive progress for Joan Mir and his facet of the Repsol Honda Group storage as they discovered a number of the pace which had illuded them on the opening day. Already over half a second sooner than his Qualifying time from the 2023 Malaysian GP and virtually a full second sooner than his time from the day earlier than, Mir would finally finish the day in tenth place with 39 laps accomplished. This left the #36 content material with the work carried out and desirous to make additional enhancements on the ultimate day.
One other busy day within the Malaysian warmth noticed Luca Marini full 41 laps with a greatest time of 1’58.394 – over half a second sooner than his quickest time from Tuesday. Within the afternoon, Marini turned his attentions to assembling an extended run to higher perceive the Repsol Honda Group machine over race distance. The train offered the Repsol Honda crew and Marini with additional areas to discover on the final day and later in Qatar.
The third and closing day of the Sepang Take a look at will start at 10:00 Native Time.
Joan Mir
10TH 1’57.872
“Yesterday we tried numerous issues and right this moment was about confirming these issues which had been working properly. As we speak we had a base that I used to be snug with, so that may be a nice step to have made right here and consequently I used to be capable of enhance my laptop computer by rather a lot. Already 0.6s sooner than Qualifying right here final yr the place I used to be forward of my teammate. We’re seeing the potential that’s there and I’m proud of what we’ve carried out right this moment, however we have now to remain grounded and carry on working as a result of there may be nonetheless some margin. One final day right here earlier than we begin fascinated with the Qatar Take a look at.”
Luca Marini
17TH 1’58.394
“It was one other busy day in Sepang. I did a future alongside attempting many various issues. The long term confirmed us many issues and we had been capable of perceive the work we have to do as a result of I used to be wanting a bit extra from it. It was constructive to know the bike and the way it adjustments with the tyre put on through the course of a race. With new tyres I really feel fairly good so we have to match that feeling when the tyres are extra used. This is the reason we go testing, to know these factors and to make use of the time we have now to maintain engaged on them. Time to relaxation and put together for the final day right here in Malaysia.”
Extra, from a press launch issued by Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3:
THE PREPARATION FOR 2024 CONTINUES IN SEPANG TEST AS BOTH ACOSTA AND FERNANDEZ IMPROVE ON DAY 2
The onerous work continued on Wednesday in Malaysia with the second day of the Sepang MotoGP™ Official Take a look at, which noticed each Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez undergo an intense day on a monitor, with a bit a couple of hundred laps between them. The grid didn’t fiddle on that second day as lap instances went down shortly, and we noticed the all-time lap report of the Sepang Worldwide Circuit being smashed two instances right this moment. It was first 2023 runner-up Jorge Martin who crushed the 1’57.491 of Pecco Bagnaia with a 1’57.273 after simply a few laps on this morning. Afterward, Enea Bastianini took over with a powerful 1’57.134 as he topped the timesheets on day 2.
Second quickest on Tuesday, which was already spectacular for the younger rookie Pedro Acosta, issues acquired even higher for MotoGP’s new #31 after he improved his quickest lap to 1’57.726 after simply fourteen laps this morning, which is 0.494 seconds sooner than yesterday. Had he been a MotoGP™ rider again in November, that lap time would have put him fifth on the grid of the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix. A small crash at flip 9 known as it out for the morning session because the crew headed to their lunch break, and the motion resumed at 4pm. Total, race tempo has improved for the Spaniard who’s feeling increasingly more snug on the RC16, and he additionally felt very constructive in regards to the electronics after one other day of expertise on the machine. Acosta can have yet another day on Thursday to finalize his six day-testing program in Sepang. Let’s hold the great vibes for yet another!
The primary day again to highschool is rarely the best one, and it was the case on day 1 for Crimson Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez who struggled a bit to seek out the sensation on his RC16. Issues barely improved for the quantity 37 on Wednesday as he went below the 1’59, with a lap in 1’58.915 early into the day. The Spaniard continued his seek for a greater feeling basically, as he tried completely different settings, nonetheless utilizing the carbon chassis. The sensation improved, and there have been positives to take from this second day on monitor after fifty laps of onerous work to get the progress going. A crash at round 5:30pm put an finish to his day, however the third and closing one awaits him on Thursday as he goals to make a step and head to Qatar subsequent week with a clearer imaginative and prescient on the instructions to take for the season. The motion can be again at 10:00 native time tomorrow.
Pedro Acosta
Place: eighth
Time: 1’57.726
Laps: 52
“Similar to yesterday, the lap time was not our essential goal, however it’s clearly superb to complete the day half a second sooner than day 1. We improved our tempo, I’m additionally getting accustomed to the electronics, and I perceive the whole lot a bit extra basically and my suggestions once I arrive on the field can be getting extra full as days go by. It is a good feeling basically. The opposite riders are very skilled and are lots sooner, however keep in mind that it’s my third time in Malaysia. Contemplating this, my tempo is excellent, and I’d say that we’re on our means!”
Augusto Fernandez
Place: twentieth
Time: 1’58.915
Laps: 50
“We continued to attempt various things, completely different settings so I may really feel snug on the bike, along with engaged on the aerodynamics. We have now improved in comparison with yesterday, however we’re nonetheless too sluggish. I ended the day with a late crash with simply half an hour to go. This isn’t a straightforward take a look at for us, nor a straightforward begin to 2024, however we have now identified the problems, so we all know what we have now to do tomorrow.”
Extra, from a press launch issued by Trackhouse Racing:
Trackhouse Racing – Sepang Take a look at: Day 2
Sepang Worldwide Circuit, Malaysia:
Observe size: 3.44 miles / 5.54 kilometers
Air Temperature: 89.6°F / 32°C
Observe Temperature: 125.6°F / 52°C
America’s MotoGP Group completes its second day on monitor on the opening MotoGP take a look at of 2024. As we speak with the #88 Miguel Oliveira and within the absence of Raul Fernandez, following his withdrawal from the motion after crashing closely yesterday, the #25 piloted by Aprilia take a look at rider Lorenzo Savadori.
#88 Miguel Oliveira – spent the day working the Trackhouse Aprilia RS-GP 24 via a program of set-up changes, digital updates and additional aero configurations.
Accomplished: 56 Laps – 192.9 miles / 310.4 kilometers
Finest lap: 1’58.549 (Pos nineteenth)
Prime pace: 207.1 mph / 333.3 kmh
“It was a protracted day. We had brief stints and had been attempting numerous issues simply to get a greater understanding of the bike. Lastly, to sum up the top of the day; I’m not having numerous feeling for the time being and a little bit of a tough time to know how I can push and go sooner. However anyway, I feel I gave good suggestions within the storage. We sit down tonight and look what we are able to enhance for tomorrow. For certain, one of the vital essential factors for me with this bike was the nook pace and that’s the place I’m dropping probably the most time. We’re moving into that. Proper now, the essential factor is to know find out how to go quick as a result of we have now a very good lap from Aleix (Espargaro). When it comes to tempo, we’re not thus far off, however we didn’t get an actual good the time assault, so we miss round a second to the entrance.”
WILCO ZEELENBERG, TEAM MANAGER
“We tried many issues all through this second day. We’re not proud of the lap instances but however, saying that, it means we have to work extra to seek out the respectable time. It’s nice to see that Miguel is having fun with driving the brand new bike. In fact, it’s all the time simple to say, we must be sooner. Making an attempt many issues to seek out the proper timing to do the time assault is rarely simple. I’m assured that we are going to discover that shortly. That is essential. I additionally need to want all the most effective to Raul. He’s again residence and had a disappointing begin of the season, however on the identical time we’re blissful that he’s no more injured than he may have been. Let’s see how he’ll come again in Qatar. In the meantime, we have now yet another day to go right here in Sepang with Miguel.”
