MotoGP: DRC’s Austrian GP preview
MotoGP: DRC’s Austrian GP preview
Ducati’s reign of victories, KTM’s home GP and a struggling Honda
It’s CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich or simply called Austrian GP, 2nd race week after the summer break and 10th in the calendar out of the 21-race season. This weekend is no short of surprises with shake-ups in the weekend’s normal schedule, confident KTM for their home race, and Ducati’s reign of consistent victories. Let’s dive further into Austrian GP’s weekend roundup.
Red Bull ring’s MotoGP layout remains the same as in 2021 where turn 2 chicane was changed to ensure safety and challenge riders with turns 2 and 3 being double apex having 90o degree angle. The Red Bull ring has a total of 9 turns, 6 right and 3 left. It’s a fast-flowing circuit that encourages overtakes and adrenaline rush for achieving top speeds.
Q1 and Q2 entry rule changes:
The Grand Prix Commission held a meeting on 4th August 2023 and made the following decisions regarding the entry of riders into Q1 and Q2:
MotoGP Practice will solely determine entry to Q1 and Q2.
The practice session is canceled on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning MotoGP session will become Practice instead of Free Practice which will determine entry to Q1 and Q2.
If the Saturday morning session is unable to run then FP1 results will determine entry to Q1 and Q2
In the rare case that no practice sessions have been able to take place, this is deemed force majeure, and Race Direction will adjust the schedule and procedure as required, considering the prevailing conditions.
How will be the weather throughout the weekend?
Friday: Clouds and sun with a thunderstorm in parts of the area in the afternoon. Potentially one session is to be wet with 55% rain chances and 25oC avg temperature.
Saturday: A bright sunny day with 29oC temperature, and only a 3% chance of rain.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with 30oC temperature and potential rain for a short period of time with 25% chances.
Grid changes:
Aprilia might use one of three wildcards to race their test rider Lorenzo Savadori for testing carbon fiber chassis.
A quick recap about carbon fiber chassis, it was tested by Ducati between 2009 to 2011 and later stopped.
Here’s a History of MotoGP and Carbon Fibre
Alex Rins still remains injured and will be replaced by Iker Lecuona.
The rest of the grid remains unchanged.
Whom to look out for this weekend?
Red Bull ring is the circuit KTM develops their rocket-ship which makes them a natural winning contender. It seems KTM has geared up for their home race and their morale will be boosted by Marc Marquez’s statement, “How KTM has improved ... Because when they started, they were way behind. But they will be number 1 faster than expected. In a competition like this, ambition is key, and if you have the ambition, you can do it”. To back their ambitions if Jack Miller manages his tyres till the end, I see a potential podium. Not to forget about Brad Binder’s heroic victory in a rain-affected race back in 2021 where he was one of few riders who continued with dry sets in rain, he managed to bring it home for KTM.
Looking back to previous results, Ducati will be a major contender for the win. Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzechi, Pecco Bagnaia, and Alex Marquez are strong with their respective bikes and it’s anybody’s game.
What about the rest?
Aprilia and Aleix have won on their last outing but, it’s unlikely they will replicate the same results. Maverick Vinales has been unable to improve starts, even if he does so Ducati swarm might engulf them.
Despite of most wins in the Red Bull ring, precisely 24, Honda and elder Marquez are struggling for front-end grip and overall stability massively. Marc, Joan, and Honda will be maximizing run time to test the improvements.
Yamaha still remains one of the slowest on straights and I can see Fabio Quartararo’s frustrations piling up.
Enea Bastianini will be looking to adjust and try being comfortable on a factory bike as he is yet to regain full strength and confidence.
Any upgrades?
Aprilia might test a new carbon fiber chassis in the hands of Lorenz Savadori. If this comes out to be true then Aprilia will be the second team to do so after Ducati since 2011.
Taka Nakagami will test new fairings on his Idemitsu Honda. Continuing with Honda, factory bikes might continue with their upgraded wings from Silverstone but, Honda being in a tough spot their riders may make changes as and when required
KTM looking feisty with Dorna
The non-consensual concession: KTM doesn’t want Dorna to provide concession status to Japanese manufacturers Yamaha and Honda. While speaking with Speedweek, Pit Bierer said,
“The advantages are based on the privileges that have existed for the new entrants in recent years, Dorna suggested returning these 'concessions' to Yamaha and Honda almost overnight.”
He adds, “Yamaha [were runners-up] in 2020 and 2022 and world champion in 2021. Honda has conceded too many concession points over the last year and a half with podiums for Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro and victory for Alex Rins and therefore does not qualify for these concessions.”
Overall Pit Bierer believes these manufacturers don’t need concession to revive them as they have enough resources and expertise to do so.
“Less Ducati please”
It has been observed on more than one occasion that KTM and Pit Bierer are frustrated with the number of Ducatis on the grid. KTM will be putting more pressure on Dorna this weekend for one more satellite team for them. It’s clear that KTM develops and makes champions out of young and raw talent in Moto2 and Moto3 but fails to forward that glory into the premier class. “We produce many talents that we don't want to sell“, said Pit Bierer. Sadly, it will become a reality as Pedro Acosta wants to enter the premier class for next season. Currently, Ducati has a total of eight bikes on the grid, two factories, and six satellites hence, they do not face similar problems as KTM. Referring to this situation Pit Bierer said,
“There are eight Ducati on the grill. If you have eight Ducati bikes, you will have to beat six Ducati to finish third. This has an effect on balance in the field. We have asked Dorna several times”.
KTM wants to add one more satellite team for Moto2 and Moto3 talents to further support them.
Rumors and speculations:
Johann Zarco is offered double his current salary to join LCR Honda.
Ducati wants Marco Bezzechi to decide if wants to stay at Mooney VR46 or upgrade to Pramac Racing.
Marc Marquez has denied KTM move for 2024
Fabio Quartararo has indicated a willingness to look for a new team if Yamaha doesn’t impro1ve the bike’s performance
Over the years we have seen late battles for win-making crazy maneuvers, Austrian GP never disappoints in action. Let’s see who celebrates the podium this weekend.
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