P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The revelation that Pecco Bagnaia’s Japan breakthrough was down to him testing a GP24 from the VR46 team at Misano has been the main headline in Indonesia. But Ducati refuses to confirm any of it, creating a nightmare PR storm that is only harming the rider it was meant to help with this in the first place…
Espionage and secrecy have always been common in the MotoGP paddock, with instances like Ernst Degner’s defection from East Germany to bring MZ secrets to Suzuki. While there have been no extreme incidents like that since, cloak and dagger tactics persist, such as missing tires and hidden bike parts. The current paddock secret revolves around Ducati possibly borrowing a GP24 from VR46 for Pecco Bagnaia’s test at Misano.
Speculation arose after Bagnaia’s outstanding performance at the following Japanese Grand Prix, hinting at significant changes made to his bike. The cat was let out of the bag by VR46 team boss Uccio Salucci at the Indonesian Grand Prix, confirming Bagnaia did indeed test Morbidelli’s GP24. The move was crucial for Bagnaia, who struggled with the GP25 and regained his confidence with the older model.
Despite the success, Ducati remains tight-lipped about the matter, with team manager Davide Tardozzi deflecting questions and offering vague responses. The controversy surrounding Ducati’s handling of the GP24 situation continues, raising questions about the GP25’s performance and Bagnaia’s potential underachievement on it. In the world of MotoGP, intrigue and secrecy play a significant role behind the scenes.
