Sepang MotoGP 2023 test time
Ducati test racer Michele Pirro topped the timetable ahead of Yamaha test racer Cal Crutchlow and KTM/GASGAS rookie Augusto Fernandez.
That might not be a completely accurate picture though, as Dani Pedrosa has done a lot of laps on different development RC16 mules with different aero variations but not running the timing transponder. time…
The ‘shark teeth’ serrations on the edges of the KTM front bibs are gone, while the upper has been slightly updated, but largely remains the same. The side wings of the case are also treated similarly. However, the biggest change we can see is that the ground effect side panels have increased in size.
Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) completed three days of active Shakedown testing with a best of 2m00,482. The reigning Moto2 world champion will return to the track this weekend for three official days of testing, where he will join his 2023 rivals.
Augusto Fernandez
“The first test in Valencia was just riding a MotoGP bike without thinking about changing the settings too much, so logically the goal of Shakedown was to start the job properly and build my base . I’m glad I’ve had three days to get used to the MotoGP bike and I feel like I’m starting to understand why everything happens and how to control this machine. We have received a lot of information over the past three days, both in dry and wet conditions, and it is very important to understand what I need to do to go faster in the next few days. The team did a great job so I want to say thank you to them. I’m looking forward to Friday at the Sepang Test.”
Nicolas Goyon – GASGAS . Team Manager
“Augusto Fernandez reunited with his bike at Sepang after the first test in Valencia in November. This three-day Shakedown Test was really constructive, although the weather wasn’t helpful. The positive thing is that he was able to drive in a variety of conditions, which is very important for a rookie: he drove with wet tires on fully wet roads, wet tires on dry roads, slippery tires on mixed roads, and of course in dry road slicks. The third day was the most stressful because it was completely dry and he did some very interesting laps. He has absolutely no problems, which means we have a good gap to improve. He has a very good attitude, his comments are positive and constructive, so everyone in the box and at Pierer Mobility Group is happy with him. We look forward to continuing to work with Augusto on Friday for the Sepang Test.”
At Ducati, it’s important to note that Ducati updated their “ground effect” side shields from the Valencia Test, which are now much larger and with a bit more detail.
The actual side cover and main kit are the same as what we saw in Valencia.
After solo testing on Sunday and Monday, Cal Crutchlow had a companion on Tuesday when Iwata factory test driver, Katsuyuki Nakasuga, joined him. Both the British and Japanese riders use Yamaha’s new front fender – the one we saw at the Valencia Test – as well as the latest fender.
2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo will also see the speed trap numbers Yamaha posted, at one point showing Crutchlow at 335 km/h – 5 km more than Quartararo managed at the Grand Prix last year and 8 against Yamaha managed in Sepang 2022 Test. It will be interesting to see how the latest Yamaha holds its ground on the speed charts as a full complement of MotoGP riders come into action this weekend.
Aprilia test driver Lorenzo Savadori returned with Aprilia’s new front bumper aerodynamics package on the last day, with the Italian racer passing more than one RS-GP. Savadori is also busy preparing bikes for Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales ahead of the Official Test which begins on Friday.
Stefan Bradl had a busy Tuesday doing back-to-back comparisons between different non-HRC packages, the latest being the one we saw at the private Jerez Test.
Bradl also spent time comparing bikes with and without the ‘stegosaurus’ wings on the tail unit.
The Sepang exam officially starts on Friday, February 10 at 10:00 local time, 13:00 AEDT.
Sepang MotoGP 2023 test time
- Michele Pirro – Ducati – 1m59,803
- Cal Crutchlow – Yamaha +0.550s
- Augusto Fernandez – KTM +0.679 seconds
- Lorenzo Savadori – Aprilia +0.920 seconds
- Stefan Bradl – Honda +1,326s
- Jonas Folger – KTM +3,820s
