The most crucial tech innovations on display at MotoGP Sepang test

Ducati

Ducati brought a new engine to Sepang. The goal was to solve engine braking problems of the GP23 which Enea Bastianini had called "a disaster".

Francesco Bagnaia reacted to the GP24: "I have good potential, more on the braking. We are adjusting the power delivery."

The '24 Ducati also features a different aerodynamic design, specifically the main set of wings on the front fairing.

A new side fairing is a major point of difference for the latest Ducati.

It is a hybrid configuration, joining last season's ground effect fairing with downward ducts.

Jorge Martin complained about the fairing during the Sepang test but, after an extra day of use, joined Bastianini and Bagnaia in his praise for it.

The Ducati has also updated both exhausts.

KTM

The use of the carbon fibre chassis is the most significant decision that KTM made. The Tech3 GASGAS team also used a carbon fibre chassis.

Their search for the perfect exhaust means settling on an updated lower exhaust, alongside an old top exhaust.

KTM, like Aprilia, included eye-catching aero in Sepang.

“We’re playing, literally, with thin air here," Jack Miller said about the aerodynamics.

“They look radical and the changes look massive but, in all honesty, it’s not massively big changes.

“There are minute changes here, there and everywhere.

“The thing is… it affects the bike everywhere. Drive, on the maximum lean angle, tipping the bike in, braking.

“There are so many variables that go into testing this stuff.

“That’s why it’s hard to nail together a decent package because there are so many variables between items."

Aprilia

Aprilia caught the eye in Sepang with some noticable innovations.

The chassis, aero package, and engine are all brand new.

The aerodynamics are an even greater point of different to last year's bike, and have resulted in a new balance for the 2024 RS-GP.

Sidepod wings have been added in a major overhaul of the aero. And the rear tail unit now features a diffuser under the tail.

Aleix Espargaro's feedback was: "The level of this bike is higher. Now we need to understand how to ride it. 

"The aerodynamics make the bike quite different, but I like it. It helps me in corner speed, I can ride with more mid-corner because I have more stability. So I need to get used to it. But looks like potential is high.

“Super heavier! This is the negative thing,” Espargaro confirmed. “The bike is super heavy and physical. But what I want is to be fast. I don’t care if it’s physical. But it is – a lot!”

Yamaha

Yamaha's new aerodynamics resembled last year's Aprilia design. Sidepod wings initially popped up but don't appear to be staying.

A new engine was aimed at giving Yamaha a smoother power delivery but problems persist with putting together a single fast lap.

Fabio Quartararo posted impressive top speeds but Yamaha insist it was due to his braking ability.

“I think the speed is also with the braking reference,” Quartararo admitted. 

“I’m not saying the bike is slow, the bike is very fast but the braking reference also makes it a little bit strange on the top speed.

“But this is super positive to have a fast bike but we still have to improve our fast lap. Our one lap we are missing so much and this is our biggest problem right now."

Honda

Honda's focus was on improving the bike that was seen at the postseason Valencia test, rather than the bike used in the 2023 season.

An updated engine has not yet solved problems with rear grip, though.

Honda introduced an aluminium swingarm, notably because it was seemingly built by the manufacturer itself rather than being sourced.

They played with different aero packages, most significantly stegosaurus wings paired with a large rear aero.

Luca Marini implored Honda to continue in their own direction rather than copying Ducati, saying: “It is faster. But it is less forgiving, not as much control but it is more in your hand. There is a little bit more power so we are struggling with grip because the torque is more.

“We need to be more careful with the throttle because the power is there. You can ride faster because the engine is stronger.”